Thames Valley Police have seen an increase in opportunist thieves across the Bracknell and Wokingham areas trying car door handles to find insecure vehicles. 

Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few steps you can take to help keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.

Lock your vehicle

Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have electronically locked your vehicle, double check it and ensure you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open. Many thieves will not hesitate to walk up your driveway and try the door handles to see if your car will open. 

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Opportunist thieves and criminal gangs may look for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

Keep the keys safe

Keep your keys out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.

Keyless entry 

Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. This can be from inside a pocket or bag. If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you don't have keyless entry.

Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition. Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car.

How to protect your keyless entry car

Display and you will pay! Leave it on show, expect it to go!

Please don’t tempt thieves – your mobile phone, spare coins, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle. Even an old coat or a plastic bag left behind can tempt a thief.

If you have seen anything suspicious, have CCTV or Dashcam footage of suspects, or any information regarding car crime in your neighbourhood, please report this by using the Thames Valley Police on line reporting portal at www.thamesvalley.police.uk or by calling the non-emergency number 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999. 

If you wish to remain anonymous or don’t want to speak to the police you can pass any relevant information via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 free of charge.

Thank you.