How to Protect Yourself from a Rise in Vehicle Theft

Fortunately, there are a few measures you can take to deter criminals and minimise the risk, as this post will discuss.

While Bermuda is by and large a safe island, there are always opportunists on the lookout for an easy target. That’s certainly been the case in 2020, with police confirming that a total of 270 vehicles have been reported stolen since the start of the year in Hamilton alone.

While a police spokesman said that the Bermuda Police Service has recovered the car in nearly every case of a theft, the report in the Royal Gazette quotes multiple victims who have experienced otherwise. That’s exactly why it’s best to take your own measures to protect your vehicle…

First and foremost, make sure your car is parked in a secure location whenever possible. Avoid insecure street parking and don’t leave your car too far from wherever you’re heading. Ideally, you want to be able to hear the car alarm if someone does attempt to steal it.

On top of that, it’s best to avoid parking in the same spot every day, as some thieves will notice patterns and plan their attacks when they know you’ll be away for a few hours.

The advent of GPS trackers means you never have to worry about the whereabouts of your car again. Logging in on a smartphone or PC, you can see the exact location of your car in real time.

That’s invaluable if someone does steal it, but also gives you peace of mind as you can check it’s still where you left it throughout the day.

Unfortunately, car thefts don’t stop when you park up at home. But you can make them much more unlikely by adding your own deterrents. A camera is easily the biggest deterrent, showing any thief that they’re being watched.

As long as you’re parked on a driveway rather than on the street, you can have surveillance cameras watching your car day and night. That also allows you to check in on your vehicle if you happen to be away from home without it, for added peace of mind.

Finally, stay alert. Make sure you lock your car whenever you park up and leave it – even outside your own home. When you arrive home, don’t leave your keys in view of a window as this could lead to a quick ‘smash and grab’.

That’s even more important for cars with keyless entry, as criminals can now use key programmes and relay devices to capture their signal and open your car.

Improving residential security is a sure-fire way to bolster the safety of your vehicle. Whether it’s intruder alarms to stop keys being stolen or CCTV cameras to watch over your wheels, the team at Selectron can help you find the right solution across Bermuda. Contact us today to find out more.