Car theft, a continuing problem

Car theft is a continuing problem on our streets today. Although many precautions can be taken to protect your car, theses efforts seem to only be in vain. Car theft is a worldwide business worth billions each year. This issue has been raised here before, including crimes such as plate theft and the entire being stolen. A nightmare for anyone to wake up and see that the family four-door is gone.

Everyone’s car is at risk to theses criminals, car alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices seem to be easily deactivated by criminals in illegal garages or ‘chop shops‘. Equipment has also been developed by these thugs to quickly enter a vehicle, start the engine by by-passing any anti-theft device and make-off with their ill-gotten vehicle.

Cars are also being re-registered very easily, the criminals only have to claim that the car is an import, pay a small fee and have the car re-registered and sold to an innocent buyer. The car seriel numbers are often ground down and re-stamped to thwart and suspicious officials.

Car theft will always be prominent on our street, it has become something we have learned to live with. However, the police have recently begun to clamp down on the problem and their efforts seem to have had some positives effects. Theft is down as much as 50% is some areas and convictions have also risen for the offence.