Vehicles

In Scotland, every year, thousands of cars are stolen and often never recovered.  Those which are recovered may be badly damaged with anything of value taken.  The identity of stolen cars is often changed to make them easier to sell on.  You can uniquely mark your car to make it easier for the Police to identify it as yours if stolen and recovered.

 

Use an ultra violet pen, which can be bought from any Stationers, to mark various parts of your car with the car's registration number.  Suggested places to mark are;

Use your imagination to mark your car in places where only you will know the mark is.

 

Many new cars are already etched with a unique security number but if yours is not then why not consider this option?  The thief will not want to replace all the glass in your car so you should have all glasswork, including the headlamps, marked in this way.

It may not always be your car which is the temptation to a thief but what you have inside it.  Here are a few tips to deter theft from your car.

 

Look for car parks which are well maintained, well lit and, preferably, provide their own security.

 

Seems obvious but property is often stolen from inside unlocked cars.

 

Take valuables out of your car before you leave it.  If you need to leave anything of value in your car then place it out of sight, preferably in the boot or glove compartment.  Remember that your vehicle documents, including your driving licence, are of value to the thief so don't leave these in your car.

 

Fit locking wheel nuts to your wheels and a lockable cap to your fuel tank.

 

If you can, make sure that you fit your car with a good quality immobiliser or alarm.