By Richard Peak, director at Nextbase
Car theft feels like a problem discussed more and more in the last few years, with headlines abounding of ‘uninsurable cars’ and sophisticated gangs ‘stealing to order’.
Yet, according to our research, fewer than ever are resulting in charges being brought to the culprit.
Our recent data indicates a charge rate of just 2.1% as overstretched police forces struggle with a lack of evidence and resources.
One of the biggest advances in this field is keyless car technology which is responsible for 94% of car thefts in 2024.
This surge is attributed to improvements in the technology of keyless cars which unfortunately is a double-edged sword for car owners as it enables criminals to steal cars in sophisticated ways.
Modern thieves are exploiting advanced technology to steal cars equipped with keyless entry and ignition systems without entering the owner's property to physically steal the keys.
Based on most of the cases, they utilise a technique known as a ‘relay attack’, which involves two criminals working in tandem.
Although London and Birmingham remain hotspots for car theft however is the problem is present throughout the UK.
Thieves are no longer teenagers out for a joyride but rather consist of organised gangs of criminals strategically targeting specific cars. This may be due to the rise in the value of second-hand cars and car parts.
As fleet managers, this is a pressing issue that requires swift action and proper protection in place in case you are targeted.
Although Range Rovers and Lexus are commonly targeted, many insurance claims reveal that the make of your cars don’t make you immune.
It’s important not to be lulled into a false sense of security as Toyota, Hyundai and Kia all saw a sharp rise in claims.
Remember, these criminals also benefit from stripping for car parts, not just ‘high-value’ cars so every fleet is at risk, and it is in your personal best interest to have as many measures in place to prevent theft.
The good news is that you can take various steps to deter criminals from targeting your car.
I find that combining a mixture of simple and sophisticated technology as the best way to protect yourself.
Below is a list of affordable measures you can take to not only protect your fleet but also indirectly lower insurance premiums:
Keep keyless car fobs in faraday pouches and keep fobs as far away from vehicles as possible. These protective pouches block the key fob’s signal from being intercepted and cloned.
They can be purchased for as little as £5 or alternatively, you can take a DIY approach and use any metal tins or boxes for a similar effect.
I also recommend extending this level of protection to spare keys as that is something people often forget can also enable car theft.
Although visually unappealing, utilising a steering wheel lock or wheel clamp can significantly reduce your chances of being targeted as it visually adds an extra step for thieves to consider during theft.
If your fleet consists of vans, I advise you to install deadbolts as an extra deterrent, particularly if your fleet is used to store valuable goods overnight.
Invest in proper training and remind fleet operators of the basics. This may sound simple, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t know how to properly lock their cars or leave them unattended when defrosting windscreens for example.
It is important to brush up on your car’s manual to know the differences between single and double locking it. You may also want to upgrade your fleet parking spaces as many thefts occur on owner property, misleadingly perceived as secure for its familiarity.
To enhance your security, you may want to consider installing CCTV systems and alarm systems in your garage coupled with motion-sensor lighting to deter thieves.
Dash Cams are another excellent security measure. Newer generations of Dash Cams provide high-resolution footage and alert systems as well as car tracking abilities, acting as a 3-in-1 device offering the benefits of CCTV, alarm systems and car trackers.
These Dash Cams can also be accessed remotely, acting as a kind of smart doorbell on cars by sending footage to the cloud and alerting owners via their phones at the slightest disturbance - offering protection even if you are away from the site.
While the threat of car theft, particularly through sophisticated methods, is on the rise, there are proactive steps vehicle owners can take to safeguard their assets.
Whether it's through physical deterrents like steering wheel locks and driveway posts, strategic parking practices, or the advanced technology of dash cams and telematics, each measure plays a crucial role in enhancing security.
These practices not only protect individual vehicles but also contribute to the efficiency and safety of entire fleets, offering peace of mind to drivers and fleet managers alike.
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