Car crime

Your car. It may feel like a safe place – perhaps even your own little bubble full of comforts and mod cons – but opportunistic criminals won’t see it that way.

Thankfully, protecting your car from would-be thieves is easy.

Keeping it locked with its windows closed and any alarms activated is a sure-fire step to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of vehicle crime.

Don’t leave valuables – or anything that could be mistaken for them – on display, either. Even a carrier bag of rubbish or an empty laptop bag could attract the wrong sort of attention, while valuables like golf clubs and satnavs can become targets if they’re left inside while not in use.

With satnavs in particular, make sure you not only remove the device from view but also its cradle – and don’t forget to wipe away any telltale sucker marks on the windscreen, too.

Consider removing and concealing satnavs or valuables before your reach your destination will prevent them from being observed by potential thieves