There are many ways car owners can prevent vehicle theft, including storing keys in a Faraday bag, adding in-car locks, covering diagnostic ports, and installing driveway bollards.

Nearly 130,000 motor vehicle thefts were reported to police last year, which highlights just how common this crime is. Although there has been a long-term decline in car thefts throughout the UK, recent statistics showed a 39.5% rise in the number of cars stolen.

For more information, check out our dedicated article on the latest vehicle theft statistics in the UK.

However, there are steps you can take to make your vehicle less attractive to would-be thieves. In this blog, we provide all the information you need to enhance vehicular security and reduce the risk of theft. Read on to discover simple yet effective ways to keep your car secure.

1. Keep Your Vehicle Locked at All Times

We know what you’re probably thinking:

“Yeh, well duh.”

While this may sound deceptively simple, this is the cause of a lot of car thefts.

Whether that’s a moment of absentmindedness or you simply assume that your car won’t be targeted while you leave it unattended for a moment or two, an unlocked vehicle makes it easy for thieves to gain access to your vehicle and flee.

2. Prevent Key Theft

When you’re out and about, don’t leave keys sitting on the top of your bag or on a restaurant table, for example. At home, store keys in a secure location away from any doors or windows. It’s not unheard of for car thieves to steal a vehicle after using wire to access the keys via a letterbox, so make it harder for criminals by making your keys inaccessible.

3. Block Keyless Thefts

Advanced technology can make using your vehicle safer and more convenient, but it can also give thieves another way to gain unauthorised access to your car. If your vehicle facilitates keyless entry, be aware that you could be the target of a ‘relay attack’.

This is when thieves use an electronic device to ‘mimic’ the original key and fool the vehicle into thinking it’s being unlocked. Then, thieves can simply hop into the vehicle and drive it away without causing any physical damage to the car.

To prevent this from happening, store keyless entry fobs in a Faraday cage, bag or pouch. This will block electromagnetic fields and prevent unauthorised devices from being able to mimic the fob, thus stopping your car from being stolen.

4. Park In a Secure Area

When you’re at home, parking on your driveway, rather than the street, can be a viable way to deter thieves. If you’re out and about, however, you’ll want to ensure you park in a well-lit and secure area to stop your car from being targeted.

Ideally, look for car parks that are in populated areas and have noticeable security features, such as automatic barriers. If parking on the street is your only option, be sure to choose a road that is well-lit and has sufficient vehicle or pedestrian traffic to deter thieves.

Many areas are now covered by CCTV cameras and this can be a savvy way to improve the security of your vehicle when you’re parking away from home. Thieves will be less likely to target a vehicle if it’s covered by CCTV, so try to ensure that you’re able to park in an area that’s monitored by cameras.

5. Add In-Car Locks

Today’s vehicles typically have a range of in-built security features but you can up the ante by integrating your own in-car anti-theft devices. Physical locks that cover the steering wheel, gear stick and/or foot pedals are simple devices that can deter thieves, for example.

In addition to this, you may want to consider installing an aftermarket immobiliser if your car doesn’t have one pre-installed. Selecting an immobiliser with personalisation options will allow you to set up a bespoke activation process that will drastically reduce the likelihood of thieves being able to steal your vehicle.

6. Cover Diagnostic Ports

Modern vehicles are packed full of engine control units (ECUs) and sensors that collect information to enhance the performance of your car. Data from ECUs can be accessed via diagnostic equipment, but data can also be input in this way too.

If a thief can gain access to your vehicle, they could connect equipment via the diagnostic port and start the engine before driving away. To prevent this type of car theft, add a small, lockable cover to the diagnostic port on your vehicle.

7. Install Driveway Bollards

Installing bollards is a highly effective way to secure your driveway. Be sure to do your research and select the right type of driveway bollards to increase vehicular security and ensure convenience. In our professional opinion, there are two types of bollards that reign supreme in this use case:

Automatic Bollards

Automatic driveway bollards deliver optimal convenience and a high level of security. For example, the Benito Stainless Steel Automatic Bollard can be lowered in just three seconds via a control panel or remote fob and in-built LED lights, as well as a reflective ring to increase visibility.

As well as making it easy to drive on and off your property, an automatic bollard can provide a high level of impact resistance. This means that thieves won’t be able to remove the vehicle from your driveway, even if they try to ‘force’ the bollards.

Telescopic Bollards

A telescopic or retractable bollard requires manual lifting but they are quick and simple to use, so you won’t spend a lot of time keeping your driveway secure. Depending on your needs, different keys can be assigned to multiple telescopic bollards or you can use the same lock and key for all of the bollards on your property. 

The Ram Telescopic Security Post is a great example of a driveway bollard that’s lightweight and stylish yet able to withstand significant impact. Available in a range of sizes and colours, you can even incorporate driveway bollards and security posts into your exterior décor to enhance the appearance of your property.

BONUS: Installing driveway bollards may also reduce car insurance!

Contact Bison for Bollard Installation

The effectiveness of security measures depends on numerous factors. Selecting the right combination of security devices is the first step to preventing car theft but making sure they’re installed correctly is also critical to success.

To find out how we can help prevent vehicle theft, explore our range of driveway bollards now or contact us to learn more about our professional installation and fitting services. Contact our team now on 01708 956833 or message us here to upgrade your security today.