Don’t forget to lock up! 50% of car thefts are from unlocked vehicles.
Fresh analysis from insurance giant Aviva reveals that one in five drivers don’t always lock their vehicles.
Pair that with recent figures from the Office for National Statistics which suggest that 47% of thefts from vehicles took place when they weren’t locked, and you might start to think we’ve got a problem on our hands.
According to the research, unlocked doors are the most common point of access, followed by broken windows and doors that had been forced open.
Click here to find out more about these concerning statistics
Further data outlined in the article shows that more car thefts occur during the winter, when there are fewer daylight hours to potentially expose criminals in the act.
Theft claims are around 10% higher than the monthly average during October, November and December, and some 29% higher than they are in June.
It’s no coincidence that that’s the month of the summer solstice.
So how can fleet operators ensure their drivers are reducing the risk of thefts from or even of vehicles?
- Consider issuing guidance to remind your drivers about always locking the door, no matter where they park, with the windows closed.
- Ask them to securely store their keys out of sight, far from external doors or windows.
- Remind them to remove everything from their vehicles overnight, particularly valuables!
- Advise that they park in driveways or garages wherever possible, or use steering locks if parking in a high risk area, and even install tracking systems if necessary.
Got any other ideas? We'd love to hear them! Share your thoughts with [email protected].
And click here to read more advice and keep your fleet safe from thieves.
