How are most cars stolen?

AdrianC

jack_pott wrote: »

A DIY anti-theft device has the advantage that nobody has any information about what it is, where it is, or how it works.

...including the poor sod who's trying to figure out why the damn thing won't start, five years after you've sold it.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC wrote: »

...including the poor sod who's trying to figure out why the damn thing won't start, five years after you've sold it.

Take it off when you sell it. Either that, or give them the details.

Supersonos

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

But I have learnt that no security measure will prevent it so... is it worth bothering with any of them?

A tracker would at least allow me to see where it's gone, although my understanding is that once to report it stolen, the tracker company stops you seeing its location to prevent people trying to recover it themselves.

I'm also asking all this on behalf of our neighbour who has bought a van for work. He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

AdrianC

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

But I have learnt that no security measure will prevent it so... is it worth bothering with any of them?

Remember the old joke about two explorers in the jungle? They hear a hungry tiger coming through the undergrowth towards them.

One of them starts running. The other stops, takes his pack off, and swaps his heavy boots for a pair of trainers. His friend looks over his shoulder and screams "What are you doing, you fool? You'll never outrun the tiger!"

"I don't need to. I only need to outrun you."

A tracker would at least allow me to see where it's gone, although my understanding is that once to report it stolen, the tracker company stops you seeing its location to prevent people trying to recover it themselves.

Sensible.

I'm also asking all this on behalf of our neighbour who has bought a van for work. He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

He can dissuade them. He can slow them. He can make them move to an easier target.
But, ultimately... It's amazing how much a hi-vis vest, some stick-on branding, and a large amount of front can accomplish in broad daylight.

leviathan

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

You've been given lots of examples and methods. Guess what, there isn't just one.

He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

Nothing short of boody trapping it so that it explodes.


He could live in it, but they could drag him out of it and beat him up then take it.
He could get a big dog, but they could shoot it and then take it.
He could take the wheels of, they could grab it with a hiab and then take it.


It's a stupid and loaded question.
All he can do is take steps to make it harder and less likely.

All ideas in the last 3 pages.




EDIT: AdrianC - haha thinking like a pair of criminal masterminds

ttoli

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

But I have learnt that no security measure will prevent it so... is it worth bothering with any of them?

A tracker would at least allow me to see where it's gone, although my understanding is that once to report it stolen, the tracker company stops you seeing its location to prevent people trying to recover it themselves.

I'm also asking all this on behalf of our neighbour who has bought a van for work. He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

Years ago My late father a carpenter , fitted a false floor approx 10'' deep with trays that slid in and out for tools, to the casual observer the van appeared empty.

George333

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

But I have learnt that no security measure will prevent it so... is it worth bothering with any of them?

A tracker would at least allow me to see where it's gone, although my understanding is that once to report it stolen, the tracker company stops you seeing its location to prevent people trying to recover it themselves.

I'm also asking all this on behalf of our neighbour who has bought a van for work. He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

Cars are stolen by a thief to answer your question.

I hope your neighbour hasn't bought a transit.

facade

To paraphrase the sensible crime prevention advice we got from our Police-


"It is your fault if something of yours gets stolen, because you have got something nice, don't bother us unless you have a clear photograph of any thief in the act, with his/her full name and address written on the back."


Everyone round here with a Ford (car or van) is getting security posts, but they have to go down several feet, preferably into bedrock, the Aldi £20 flop over ones just push over.

Scrapit

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

But I have learnt that no security measure will prevent it so... is it worth bothering with any of them?

A tracker would at least allow me to see where it's gone, although my understanding is that once to report it stolen, the tracker company stops you seeing its location to prevent people trying to recover it themselves.

I'm also asking all this on behalf of our neighbour who has bought a van for work. He's done what he can to stop them breaking in and knicking the tools, but can he stop them just knicking the whole van?

Yes they have.

Herzlos

Supersonos wrote: »

Three pages and no-one has managed to even attempt to answer my original question about how most cars are ultimately stolen.

There has been, but a lot of it depends on what the car in question in.