Motor Security
MOTOR SECURITY - THE OPTIONS
In this world of ever-increasing car crime, it is a constant battle to stay one step ahead of the car thieves. Modern car manufacturers are constantly coming up with more and more sophisticated devices to deter thieves and prevent your vehicle from getting stolen!
Car crime is a growing problem. Great Britain has the highest rate of car crime in the world, with one car stolen every eight seconds. Certain cars, while not the target of 'joyriders' may be stolen to order by a professional thief who already knows here he can sell it on.
The loss of any car can be a nuisance, the owner of a modern car can always go out and buy a new one. Replacing the object of years of tender loving care is not so easy.
What can be done? Here are a few basic precautions to help improve security.
1. Lock all doors and windows, even if only leaving the car for a minute.
2. Keep your car in a locked garage: if this is not possible then park in a well lit area.
3. Keep items in the car out of sight, not just valuables. The cost of replacing a smashed window may be more than the cost of the goods stolen.
4. If you never use your quarterlights then reverse the catches (driver's side to passenger's and vice versa) so that the windows cannot be opened.
5. Check with your local police if they have a Vehicle Watch scheme. This involves putting a sticker in your car window so that if the police see the car out at night they will stop it and check the identity of the driver. Another precaution is to have your registration number etched on all the windows. This can be done professionally or buy an etching tool (costs about £5) and do your own.
SECURITY DEVICES
There are over a hundred or so different devices on the market. These can be divided into two types - immobilisers, and alarms/tracking devices.
Look for the SS PACT mark on any device. This stands for Sold Secure Partnership Against Car Theft and means the device has been tested by the police and will withstand five minutes' attack (the police have calculated that a thief would spend 2½ minutes trying to break into a car before giving up and moving on).
IMMOBILISERS
There are two types - mechanical and electrical.
The mechanical ones such as "Krooklocks", steering wheel locks and handbrake/gearstick locks have a high visible deterrent value, need no expert fitting and cost £10 - £35. Most of the steering wheel type ones on the market do not have the SS PACT mark as a determined and well equipped thief can cut through the steering wheel and remove the device. The only one that has the SS PACT mark is the Disklock which completely enclose the steering wheel, but will set you back £100.
Electrical Immobilisers work by interrupting the running of the engine in some way. They have no visible deterrent for a thief (apart from a window sticker with the professional kits) and are more complicated to fit but easier to use, most requiring the turn of a key or switch, or use of a magnet. If fitting a device yourself make sure that there is no way it can be accidentally turned on while the vehicle is in motion.
The easiest way of immobilising your car is to remove the rotor arm from the distributor. This means the engine will turn over but will not fire. The rotor arm is clean and will fit neatly in your pocket (don't lose it!).
Another option is to fit a switch to the petrol pump. If this is not turned on the car will go about a hundred yards and then give all the symptoms of having run out of petrol. The switch does not require a high level of knowledge to fit and will cost about £5 for switches, wire, etc.
There are lots of immobilising devices on the market. A good quality device can cost £150 - £400 though some of these include a lifetime guarantee. Again look for the SS PACT or Thatcham (the Motor Insurance Research Centre) accreditation. The dealer I spoke to showed me one that needed a small comb-like device containing an electronic chip to be inserted in a slot: thieves get round this by using a slice of apple in the slot as the moisture from the apple will bridge the contacts! Most will require your car to be negative earth.
ALARMS
Alarms are a highly visible (and audible!) deterrent. Again they can be expensive and the best must be installed by professionals.
These work either with switches that detect the opening of doors, boot or bonnet, by use of infra-red or ultrasonics to detect movement or with a trembler switch. The simplest will sound the horn if not disarmed before the ignition is turned on.
Sophisticated devices sound a siren and flash the lights; some also switch off the ignition or petrol pump and will re-arm themselves after a set period. A separate battery and hidden wiring also stops the thief shutting the system down by disconnecting your car battery. A good system can cost between £150 - £400. Again look for the SS PACT or Thatcham seal of approval.
TRACKING SYSTEMS
Tracking systems have no deterrent factor at all indeed their effectiveness depends on no-one knowing you have one - but should your car be stolen they will help you get it back. I looked at two systems:
Tracker is a device installed in your car which can be activated by the police and then tracked by their patrol cars. This system costs £430, but relies on you knowing that your car has been stolen.
Trakbak, run by Securicor, costs a cool £1,000 and combines a tracking device with an immobiliser. If the car is moved while the immobiliser is on, the car itself contacts Securicor, who inform the police of its location. Bain Hogg, the classic car insurers, say they will offer a discount on premiums of cars fitted with tracking devices (the amount pending on the device used - contact them further details).
There are a few of the options. It's up to each of us to decide just how much we want to spend for peace of mind.
CONTACTS
Your local police station for details of Vehicle Watch schemes within your area.
Vehicle Security Installation Board, Bates Business Centre, Church Road, Harold Wood, Romford, RM3 OJF for a list of all accredited installation companies.
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