Vehicle Security Devices
Alarms and Immobilisers
New cars are generally fitted as standard with effective immobilisers. Older cars are easier targets for opportunist thieves and professionals, who might break the car up to sell the parts.
Demand for parts increases as cars get older but owners are less likely to want to pay main dealer prices.
If you have an older car, consider fitting a security system or upgrading one already fitted. Most important is an immobiliser designed to prevent the vehicle from being driven away.
The immobiliser should be supplemented by an alarm as an additional deterrent against both theft-of and theft-from.
An alarm or immobiliser is only as good as the installation. We recommend that you buy a Thatcham approved system system and have it installed by a Vehicle Systems Installation Board (VSIB) |approved installer.
Mechanical immobilisers
Use a mechanical immobiliser on its own if you have a low-risk vehicle or use it in conjunction with another form of security.
Most mechanical immobilisers fit across the steering wheel to prevent it turning. Look for products that have been tested and approved by approved by Thatcham|.
The main drawback is that mechanical immobilisers don't arm automatically – you must remember to fit the device every time you leave the car.
Enhanced Protection Glazing (EPG)
For the thief with his eye on valuables in your car, glass might as well not be there. In only a few seconds and with little noise he can smash the glass, take what he wants and be away.
The windscreen must be made of laminated glass, but all other car windows are generally made from toughened safety glass.
When struck, particularly with a sharp object, toughened glass breaks into thousands of pieces. The fragments are smooth and won't cut because it's safety glass.
Latest developments
Glassmakers have now developed a special new type of laminated glass that can be used for side windows.
The new glass, called security glazing, impact-resistant glazing or Enhanced Protection Glazing (EPG) is now being fitted as standard or an option on an ever increasing range of models.
EPG won't resist attack indefinitely but it will prevent quick, 'smash & grab' attacks. The noise and time required to break in means that the thief must take much more account of the surroundings and the possibility of being caught in the act.
Crime prevention is only one of the benefitsof EPG which also reduces interior noise, and blocks UV light so reducing fading of interior trim. It can also reduce the severity of crash injuries by preventing full or partial ejection of occupants.
EPG is potentially the most significant development since the introduction of the immobiliser. We hope that manufacturers will offer this glass as standard across more and more model ranges.
Security film
Offered by some manufacturers as an alternative to secure glazing, this is a plastic sheet, possibly tinted, that's applied to the inside surface of car windows.
The glass can still be broken, but it is more difficult to remove as the film holds it intact. We have concerns about safety, durability and vision.
The original car glass is required, for type approval, to pass a range of strength, durability and optical tests including light transmission, abrasion resistance, optical distortion and secondary image.
Applying a plastic film to the inside of the glass reduces light transmission. We're concerned that the film will become scuffed, especially when the windows are opened.
Theft Resistant Number Plates
Official data shows that around 33,000 number plates were stolen in 2005 though it is well known that thefts from cars are significantly under reported.
According to the DVLA Stolen plates are used by criminals to:
change the identity of stolen cars so they can be sold disguise cars used in activities like ram-raiding or driving from petrol stations without paying
Evade congestion charges, parking and speeding fines.
New Standards
The Industry, DVLA and others have recently developed a voluntary standard for theft resistant number plates.
Plates that meet the standard will resist known attack methods for a minimum of three minutes and can be expected to cost around twice the price of normal plates.
The AA says:
Agreeing the new standard was important but we still need to see these plates widely available in the market – so far the new number plates are being fitted mainly to new cars by some dealers.
Those looking to change their current plates may find it hard to locate a registered number plate supplier who can supply and fit theft resistant plates.
Suppliers
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If you're in the process of buying a new car ask the dealer to fit theft resistant number plates when the car is first registered.
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There are two main aftermarket suppliers with a small but growing network of agents across the country;
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Hills Numberplates Ltd – Telephone 0121 623 8050 or visit their website, www.hillsnumberplates.com.
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Secureplate – Visit their website to find suppliers by county/region, www.secureplate.com.
Benefits
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Fewer motorists facing fines for crimes they didn't commit</>
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Fewer motorists innocently buying cars that turn out to be stolen
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Reduced incidents of fuel theft
If Your Plates are Stolen
Contact the Police immediately. It may seem trivial at the time but it's no fun if you subsequently start receiving fixed penalty notices or are suspected of committing crimes yourself.
Information on this page has been extracted from the AA - Car Security|