In Queensland,
the majority of stolen vehicles are used for joy riding, transport or for use
in another crime.
The remainder are stolen by professional car thieves for monetary gain, and are either given a new identity and resold, or stripped down and sold as separate parts.
The remainder are stolen by professional car thieves for monetary gain, and are either given a new identity and resold, or stripped down and sold as separate parts.
Is your vehicle safe?
The following
tips will help reduce your risk of vehicle theft:
If you have off
street parking, use it. If possible, park behind locked gates or in a locked
garage. Parking on the street greatly increases the risk of theft.
Always lock all doors and close windows, even if you are going to be parked for a very short
time.
Never leave your car running while you run into a store, go to an ATM,
etc.
Park in a well-lit area. Find a space near a store entrance or higher-traffic
area, never in an outlying, deserted parking area.
Do not leave any valuables in the car. Keep any loose objects in the trunk or in storage
bins under the seat.
A blanket covering things can be an obvious invitation for
a break-in. Minimize the number of small objects in your car-they are great
bait for thieves!
Choose an open, visible space. If you have a small car, try to avoid parking next to
large trucks and SUVs, which give thieves good cover from security cameras and
passers-by.
Never hide spare keys in or around the car. Experienced thieves know all the hiding places.
Do not leave parking stubs in the car. It just makes it a little bit easier for thieves to
be inconspicuous. Take them with you.
Use a sound system with a detachable face, or a sound system that can be removed completely from
the vehicle.
For maximum protection, install an engine immobiliser that
meets Australian Standard 4601:1999. This provides the most effective
deterrent to opportunistic vehicle theft. However, it offers no protection if a thief has easy access to your car
keys.
