21/06/2026
Police are reminding motorists in Gedling to take some simple steps to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle crime.
Lock your vehicle - Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you havenât left any windows or the sunroof open.
If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.
Keep the keys safe - Vehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. Itâs not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.
If you're selling your car and you meet up with a potential buyer, do not allow the keys out of your sight. Your keys may be cloned by thieves and used later to steal your vehicle.
Keyless entry - Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.
Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if itâs inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car. When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car. Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months. Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car. Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.
Additional physical security such as locks and immobilisers are still highly recommended.
Park responsibly - Itâs always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. Itâs worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street.
It is also important to protect yourself from items being stolen from within your vehicle
Close windows and the sun roof to prevent âfishingâ - Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Donât give them the opportunity.
Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws - The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicleâs number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.
Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels - Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicleâs wheels being stolen.
Secure anything thatâs on the outside of your vehicle- Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked.
Take it with you or hide it - Your mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of whatâs stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.
Hide electrical items and leave no clues - Leaving sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away that you have left a Sat Nav, smartphone or other device in your car.
Tool theft from vans - Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it's a good idea to mark them clearly with your name / company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on. Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools â a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles.
Park in well-lit and busier areas - It can take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so theyâll probably steer clear.
Take your documents with you - Having a vehicleâs registration and insurance documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.
Choose your car park wisely - If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.
