Knowing the location of a stolen car does not mean it is safe for the owner to retrieve
Tracker Network (U.K.) Ltd, is urging victims of car crime to leave crime-busting to the police. The advice follows news of the case of Jo Coombs from Battersea, who used her car insurance GPS tracker and connected smartphone app to locate and claim her Land Rover after it had been stolen from outside her home*. Whilst in this case there was a happy ending, organised criminal gangs are notoriously dangerous and any confrontation should be avoided at all cost. Motorists who protect their vehicles with a Tracker SVR device will also benefit from road and air police support in the event of their car being stolen.
Tracker is the only stolen vehicle recovery expert to have its systems embedded into all police forces throughout the U.K. More than 2,000 police vehicles and all police helicopters are capable of quickly locating a vehicle with a Tracker device fitted, giving drivers the best possible chance of having their stolen vehicle returned to them – and without putting themselves in danger.
Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison for Tracker commented, “The case of Jo Coombs is concerning. Although she knew the precise location of her car, she didn’t know who had taken it, whether they were still in or with the car, or the threat they may pose to her safety. For their own safety, we would never advocate anyone taking matters into their own hands.
“We work closely with the police to ensure stolen vehicles are recovered quickly and safely, without the owner getting involved, beyond reporting the theft and accepting delivery of their recovered vehicle. The fact that the Land Rover owner was lucky enough to safely ‘steal’ back her stolen car should not encourage others to follow her example. Vehicle thefts should always be reported to the police then left with the trained professionals to handle.”
Tracker’s unique combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology makes its units resistant to GPS/GSM jamming and enables the police to pinpoint a stolen vehicle if it is hidden in an underground car park, container or lock-up. This makes it particularly valuable for detecting stolen vehicles hidden in containers at major UK seaports.
Furthermore, Tracker’s Mesh Network plays an instrumental role in quickly locating stolen vehicles. When a vehicle fitted with a Tracker unit passes any Tracker equipped vehicle that has been reported stolen, the unique Mesh Network listens and automatically sends a silent signal to Tracker’s Head Quarters and the police, providing the location of the stolen asset.
Concludes Clive Wain, “The shortage of used cars and car parts has led to higher numbers of vehicle thefts, from the prestige one-of-a-kind models down to the £500 bargain. Those stealing cars to feed the used car market, or the growing demand for spare parts, are often professional criminals who will not willingly give up a potentially significant pay-day, particularly if a well-intended but vulnerable rightful owner turns up to make claim to the vehicle.”
