SECURITY OF VEHICLE, CONTENTS, AND PEOPLE
Fit good quality and highly visible devices such as a steering wheel shield, wheel clamp, brake lock. Fit them as a habit at any time of the day and anywhere.
Fit vehicle alarm.
Fit PIR security light trained on van for overnight parking.
Get all windows security etched. Usually free if you produce insurance documents. Most windscreen people offer this service
Don’t leave the keys in vehicle even when you are near it.
Back vehicle overnight so that rear door/s can’t be got at
Don’t leave keys downstairs overnight.
Lock all doors and shut all windows whenever vehicle is unattended.
Consider Tracker, Smart Water, lockable post, etcetera.
Take photographs of vehicle. Include any distinguishing features.
Take photographs of equipment.
Security mark your key equipment and list exact position of marks.
Secure high value equipment with chains or cables. That will deter the casual thief.
Overnight, remove crucial components of high value gear. For example, the waste tank lid of a Ninja, the drive plate of your rotary. If gear is stolen, thief will have to obtain missing components. You can then warn likely suppliers to be on the lookout. I know of a case where this situation caught the sod.
Lock all doors when refuelling.
Park so that driver is not facing a wall, bushes etcetera, and therefore can’t be easily seen.
Look around before getting out of the vehicle.
Look around before leaving the vehicle out of sight. Is anybody lurking?
Look around when returning to vehicle. Keep keys out of sight.
Beware of anybody trying to stop you as you drive.
Keep all doors locked when driving.
Some of the points listed may seem alarmist, but they are based on known events. In my area we have had several cases of drivers being stopped and attacked and, in supermarket car parks, women handing over their keys at knifepoint.
Don't broadcast when you are going to be away from home.
Don't broadcast where and how you keep your posessions.
HELPFUL WEBSITES
www.secureyourmotor.gov.ukwww.soldsecure.com Your local Constabulary website
Other sites - search for “Vehicle Security”
My personal feeling about people who steal a tradesman’s vehicle:- They are taking a livelihood and should be removed from the society for which they have no respect. They should not be released until they learn respect and are no longer a threat. There is no point in releasing them if they then carry on with their evil ways and incur further misery, and the costs of further detection, trial, and detention. Decent people need to be free of these pests.
