Vehicles getting broken into is one of the most common ways New Zealanders become victims of crime. Valuables kept inside vehicles are easy targets for thieves as they take the opportunity to steal things that are easy to hide or dispose of.
The best way to avoid your car being broken into is with a bit of care and common sense.
- Lock your car every time you leave it.
- Use at least one anti-theft device to slow down or stop thieves. The more time it takes for a criminal to steal something increases the chances of them being spotted, so make it harder for them.
Here are some anti-theft devices suggested on the NZ Police website to avoid your car being stolen:
- Ignition cut out switch or ignition shield
- Fuel cut out switch
- Battery isolator
- Steering wheel lock
- Hand brake lock
- Transmission lock
- Wheel lock
- Lockable fuel cap and wheel nuts (fuel and wheels are frequently stolen)
- Vehicle Alarm System
- Don’t leave valuables in the car – that’s what thieves look for: laptops, handbags, electronic gear, etc. Leave nothing in plain sight, even something like a shopping bag that’s empty. A thief will break in just to find out if there’s anything in it.
If you must leave something in your car, put it somewhere it’s not visible like the boot or under the seat (and ideally hide your stuff before you reach your destination).
- Park in plain sight of a public, high-foot traffic area or entrance, and park with the boot facing out so thieves can’t hide when they’re trying to break in to your boot.
- Keep your car tidy as it’s less likely to get robbed – messy cars have more places for valuable items to hide.
No-so-fun-fact: the most common time a vehicle is broken into is 2pm on a Saturday according to police statistics.
The information contained in this article is of a general nature and should not be taken as advice. It reflects the opinions of the writer only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of New Zealand Home Loans (NZHL).