Millions of people are risking their car being stolen by failing to take proper care of their vehicle keys.
With vehicle alarms and immobilisers fitted to many cars, thieves are increasingly resorting to stealing car keys from people's homes. Online car insurance specialist, elephant.co.uk is reminding motorists to ensure their keys are kept in a secure place at home to avoid the distress of car theft.
Ceri Assiratti, Managing Director of elephant.co.uk, said, “In the past month, we’ve identified a large number of our policyholders have had their cars stolen after a burglary.
“One unfortunate policyholder had the keys taken from his house through the letter box, probably using a hook, and in another incident, no other property other than car keys were taken from the house, suggesting the vehicle was targeted in an increasingly common car key burglary.”
There were also a number of occasions when cars have been stolen by opportunistic burglars discovering keys on the stairs, on a shelf above a radiator or on a bedroom dressing table whilst ransacking a property.
Ceri continues, “Simple crime prevention methods are the most effective way to deter potential car thieves. The more difficult you make it for them, the less likely they are to bother.”
As well as making your home as secure as possible, follow elephant.co.uk’s tips for looking after your car keys:
- Don’t leave car keys on view where they may serve as a temptation for opportunist thieves. Keep them out of view, if possible in a lockable cupboard or chest of drawers within your home.
- Never leave your house or car keys in or near a door or window. Some thieves have been known to use a fishing rod or magnet on a stick to steal them through the letterbox.
- Never have anything containing your registration, name or address attached to your car keys.
- Try not to keep all your keys on one key ring.
- Don’t leave car keys close to the front door where they can be seen.
- Never leave your car keys under doormats, under a stone, on top of a door or window frame etc. An opportunist thief may well be watching.
- If you’re going on holiday, leave your keys with a trusted neighbour, friend or family member.
- Once you’ve decided on a safe place for your keys, always use it so you can find them in an emergency.
Issue date: 12-07-07 |
