Car Robberies

canihave

Is it just us or has anyone else experienced problems with cars/vans lately in D15. Our van was stolen one month ago, then another van broken into and last night I had to roar out the window at another scumbag breaking into van again. There is absolutely nothing in the van and if they would only look in the windows they would see that. Its highly annoying. I just feel the crime in the area is on the increase - or perhaps just focused at us (hope not)

January

Can you specify an area? Dublin 15 is a biiig place!

angel01

Crime is on the increase everywhere to be honest.

babsybaby01

Our local paper in navan last week reported 9 car thefts and 5 house break-ins occured within 4 days....So scumbags are everywhere....

Kev.

Cars are getting taking all the time,Ive upped my security after a family member got his car taken.

These fellows arent messing around..balaclavas and other stuff.They tackled my neighbour 2 weeks ago after he startled them.

Get a new lock if you can as the munster doors are easy to get into..basically you can do it with a pliars..if you can get a new door..

If you can get floodlights it helps..and if you can put the older car behind the good one it would be a good idea..also make sure your alarm is fully working.

Hope this helps as its a horrible thing to happen to anybody..

One last point if your NCT isnt done you might have trouble with the insurance company...

spooky donkey

Kev. wrote: »

One last point if your NCT isnt done you might have trouble with the insurance company...

#

Yes cause It juse isent right to let thiefs drive unsafe cars

But getting back to ops point Its expected that crime will rise as the times get harder...

Fiyero

Googled this and thought I'd add it.

Hope someone finds it interesting.

Hate to see someone's car get robbed.

http://nova.pasenategop.com/brochures/auto-theft-50.pdf

It's from Pensylvania, USA, but still relevant.


COMMON SENSE IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE
1. Lock your vehicle, close all windows and sun roof, and take your keys.
2. Never hide a second set of keys in or on your vehicle. Thieves know all the
hiding places.
3. Don’t leave valuables in plain view. Items left in the open attract thieves.
4. Don’t leave important documents such as bank statements, credit card
bills/statements or other personal information in your vehicle. Thieves can
use this information to steal your identity and access your bank and credit
card accounts.
5. Never leave the registration or title in your car. If stolen, this makes it easier
for the thief to dispose of your vehicle. Keep it with your drivers license or
on your person.
6. Park in well lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic, or when possible, in
attendant lots. If you have to leave your key with an attendant, leave only
the ignition and door key.
7. Never leave your vehicle running unattended. Vehicles are commonly stolen
at ATMs, convenience stores, etc.
8. Always use your emergency brake and leave your transmission in park
(standard transmissions should be left in gear) when parked. Also, turn the
wheels toward the curb. This makes towing your vehicle more difficult.
Thieves use tow trucks to steal vehicles.
9. If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, back into your driveway. Conversely, if
your vehicle is front-wheel drive, pull forward into your driveway. Always use
your emergency brake. This makes towing difficult.
10. If you have a garage, use it. When parked in a garage, lock the garage as
well as your vehicle and close the windows.
11. Remove the electronic ignition fuse, coil wire, rotor, distributor, or otherwise
disable your vehicle if you are leaving it unattended for an extended period.
12. Don’t become complacent because you drive an older vehicle. Parts
from older vehicles are in great demand. In older vehicles, replace
“T-shaped” door locks with straight locks.
13. Engrave expensive accessories and major parts with your VIN or personal
identification number. This aids police in tracing stolen items.
14. If your vehicle has an alarm or other anti-theft device, use it.
15. Drop your business card, address label or other information inside your
vehicle doors. This will identify you and where your vehicle was titled and
registered.
INVESTING IN VEHICLE PROTECTION
16. In high theft areas, do not rely on just one anti-theft device.
17. Stolen vehicles are more easily traced when Vehicle Identification Numbers
(VIN) have been etched on each of the windows. It also makes your vehicle
less attractive to a professional car thief.
18. Ignition kill switches* halt the fuel supply.
19. Visible steering wheel locks prevent the steering wheel from being turned.
20. Floorboard locks disable the gas or brake pedals, thus preventing the
use of these pedals.
21. Gearshift locks disable shifting of the transmission.
22. Tire or wheel locks prevent the vehicle from moving.
23. Hood locks prevent thieves from gaining access to your security system
and battery.
24. Armored collars around the steering column deter thieves from breaking into
the steering column to get to the ignition wires.
ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEMS
25. Audio alarms* emit loud warning sounds when the doors, hood or trunk
are opened.
26. Vehicle tracking systems*, which are installed in your vehicle, are activated
when your vehicle is stolen. These systems alert the police to the location of
your vehicle for quick recovery.
BEWARE OF “HOT” USED CAR DEALS
27. Be suspicious of any deal that seems “too good to be true.”
28. When buying from a private individual, make sure the title and registration
match the name and address of the person selling the vehicle.
29. Be cautious of a seller with no fixed address, place of employment, phone
number or who only has a mobile phone or pager number.
30. Beware of a loose dashboard. It may indicate the VIN plate was replaced.
31. Thieves may remove the VIN plate and replace it with one from a similar
wrecked vehicle. Be sure the VIN plate on the vehicle’s dash is present,
secure and has no loose rivets. If the VIN plate is scratched or bent,
tampering may have occurred. All 1970 and newer autos produced in North
America have stainless steel “rosette” rivets with six petals and a hole in the
middle. They are difficult to scratch with a knife. If in doubt about plate
authenticity, check with a law enforcement agency.
32. The VIN on the dash must match the VIN on the registration, title and
federal safety inspection sticker on the driver’s door.
33. Make sure the federal safety inspection sticker located on the door or
door jam is securely in place and none of the numbers appear to
have been tampered with.
34. Check the engine identification number with the VIN and the federal safety
inspection number on the driver door to ensure a match.
35. An excessively loose ignition switch may indicate tampering. Check
the switch for chisel or pull marks.
36. Be wary of fresh paint on a newer vehicle. This may indicate an
attempt to change the vehicle’s identity.
37. Check the inspection and license plate stickers to be sure they are
current and issued by the same state.
38. Titles, especially from other states, and many registration cards can
be altered or counterfeited. Therefore, demand the title and registration
card before paying and look them over carefully for apparent
alterations. Also, make sure the title matches the registration.
Pennsylvania titles are difficult to counterfeit. From the early 1990s
on, they have a security thread running down the title, right of center
and a watermark on the right. These can be seen when you hold the
title up to the light.
39. Question the seller if the registration was recently issued on an older
vehicle. This may indicate the car was stolen in another state and
fraudulently titled in Pennsylvania.
CARJACKING
…a crime where a vehicle is taken from a person either by force or
threat of force. It is a violent vehicle theft and should be immediately
reported to the police.
40. As you approach your vehicle be alert, have a plan of action and have
your keys in your hands. Check around, under and in your vehicle for
suspicious individuals. Immediately leave the scene if you have any
suspicions.
41. If confronted, avoid verbal/physical confrontation – do exactly as you
are told. If at all possible, never leave in the car with the carjacker.
42. Remember, you are more important than your vehicle, purse, wallet or
any other valuables. Give them up and get out of harm’s way.
43. Once the thief leaves, immediately contact law enforcement. Be ready
to provide a complete description of your vehicle, license plate and the
suspects.
44. Once in your vehicle, lock your doors and keep the windows up while
driving.
45. Leave room to maneuver around other vehicles when coming to a
stop and be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers.
46. If bumped from behind and it seems suspicious, call the police from
your car or move at a slow speed to a well lit, well populated area
and immediately call the police.
To prevent motorcycle theft, follow many of the suggestions above.
Also consider the following:
47. Park in a well lit area or park with a group of other motorcycles.
48. Lock motorcycles together using a quality lock and chain or secure
bikes to an immovable object when possible. Use a dual-lock system –
a fork lock and a wheel lock.
49. Keep your vehicle registration and insurance information on your
person. Secure your valuables. Don’t leave jackets, helmets or any other
valuables on your motorcycle.
50. Check on your motorcycle periodically.