A police spokesperson said that by simply removing valuable items from display and locking your vehicle, you significantly reduce the likelihood of being a victim of crime.
“Most thieves break into cars because they see something they want inside. Thieves will break windows and damage locks in a matter of seconds in order to steal your valuables,” he said.
By following these few simple tips you can help prevent theft:
• Close all windows and lock all doors before leaving your car unattended.
• Never leave your keys in the ignition and don’t have personal address on tags attached to your keys.
• Lock your car when paying for fuel.
• Never leave valuable items in view; remove GPS, cradle, phones, iPods, laptops, CD’s, money, sunglasses, bags, clothes, sporting equipment to name a few.
• Don’t leave registration papers, drivers license or other papers or cards in unattended car. Paperwork found within could advise a thief that the home address of the owner is unattended at the time.
• Don’t place items in your boot, console or under your front seat; you never know who is watching. If it’s valuable, take it with you.
• Remove the suction mark left by your GPS cradle on the windscreen. Thieves will often break into a vehicle looking for a GPS unit hidden in the vehicle.
• Don’t leave loose change within view; thieves will do hundreds of dollars worth of damage to steal small amounts of money.
• Power cables from cigarette lighter sockets are signs of a valuable item probably hidden in the vehicle. Store these out of sight.
Smash and grab warning
AN increase in the number of steal from motor vehicle incidents over the past few weeks has prompted a warning from Inner West Police.