The Department for Transport (DfT) is urging motorists to take an often-overlooked step to help prevent their cars from being stolen. Guidance on the official gov.uk website notes that, while locking your vehicle and removing valuables is vital, many drivers are unaware of an additional measure that can boost security.
For extra protection, the DfT advises: "Consider having your registration number etched on all your car windows. This is a cheap and effective deterrent to professional thieves."
The department also reminds drivers to think about fitting an anti-theft device such as an alarm or immobiliser. And for those in the market for a new vehicle, it suggests choosing a model with built-in security features where possible.
Motoring experts at Halfords UK also recommend the window step. It explained: "Window etching is a way to give your car an extra layer of security if the worst were to ever happen. This simple process involves etching your car with a unique code, making the vehicle easily identifiable.
"In most cases, this is enough to deter thieves, as the extra effort of either replacing the glass or trying to remove the etching is both time-consuming and costly. Vehicles with window etching are 45% less likely to be stolen, so you may well prevent a theft from even happening.
"If your vehicle is taken, the unique code - linked to a fully certified Police database -makes your car easy to identify. Therefore, it’s much more likely to be found – an etched vehicle is 50% more likely to be recovered in comparison to a non-etched vehicle."
When leaving your vehicle, it is important to take a few simple precautions to keep it secure, the DfT stressed. Always remove the ignition key and ensure the steering lock is engaged before you walk away. Even if you’re only going to be gone for a short time, make sure the car is properly locked and that the windows are closed - even a small gap can make your vehicle an easy target.
Drivers should never leave children or pets inside an unventilated car, as this can be extremely dangerous - regardless of the weather. It is also wise to take any belongings with you. If that’s not possible, lock them in the boot where they’re out of sight - even a simple carrier bag may look valuable to a thief. In their final piece of advice, the DfT noted that drivers should avoid leaving any vehicle documents in the car, as these can be useful to someone attempting to steal or sell the vehicle.
