Vehicle Crime Prevention Information Securing your vehicle requires a combination of physical locking, electronic key protection, and keeping the cabin completely empty. Opportunistic thieves can break into a vehicle or drive it away in a matter of seconds, but taking layered precautions will drastically reduce your risk of being targeted. Here is the essential breakdown of vehicle and valuable protection. 🔒 Prevent Vehicle Theft · Lock every door: Lock the car even when pumping fuel or stepping away for a moment. · Watch for flashes: Wait to see the hazard lights flash to confirm the signal went through. · Block signal jammers: Check the door handles physically to ensure a jammer did not interrupt your key fob. · Protect smart keys: Store wireless key fobs in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch at home. · Keep keys hidden: Avoid leaving car keys near windows, front doors, or visible countertops. · Use physical locks: Fit a high-visibility steering wheel lock or pedal box clamp. · Secure the OBD port: Install a physical lock over your On-Board Diagnostics port to prevent key cloning. · Never leave it running: Avoid leaving the engine running while de-icing windows or popping into a shop. 👁️ Protect Your Valuables · Leave it empty: Take phones, wallets, cash, purses, and shopping bags with you. · Wipe the glass: Clean off suction cup marks left on the windshield by phone mounts or GPS units. · Hide all cables: Tuck away charging cords that hint at electronics hidden inside the car. · Secure external storage: Use padlocks or cable locks on roof boxes, racks, and tool chests. · Take your papers: Keep the vehicle logbook and ownership documents at home, not in the glovebox. · Seal the gaps: Roll windows and sunroofs completely up to stop "fishing" tools. 💡 Parking & Environment · Seek bright spaces: Park in well-lit, busy areas covered by CCTV whenever possible. · Check for credentials: Look for managed car parks that have earned official security marks, like the PARK MARK scheme. · Turn the wheels: Angle your wheels toward the curb when parking to make towing much harder. | 
