Door and Windows

Lock the doors, windows, boot and sunroof every time you leave your car - however briefly.

Steering Lock and other Security Devices

Always use them. Some are a lot more effective than others.

Register your car and its contents

Register your car and all its contents with Immobilise.com

Ignition Key and Immobiliser

Take the ignition key out even when the car is parked in your drive or garage. And always set the immobiliser. Follow this routine even when filling up with petrol or just popping into the newsagents. If you do not have an immobiliser consider having one fitted.

Always keep your car keys in a safe place at home, away from windows and doors and preferably in a locked cupboard or cabinet. At night, consider taking them to bed with you!

Valuable and other possessions

Don't leave them on display. That old coat on the back seat may be worthless, but a thief won't know that. He may break in to see if you've left money or cards in the pocket. Remember, the cost of replacing a broken window is often far more than the value of goods stolen. If you can, take your belongings with you. If you can't, lock everything out of sight in the boot.

In particular never leave the following anywhere in your car:

• Cheque, credit and debit cards.
• Driving documents and personal correspondence. They could help a thief to sell your car or provide a cover story if stopped by the police.
• Mobile phones. Forty per-cent of car break-ins involve the theft of a mobile phone. Mark your phone and battery with your postcode and keep a note of its serial number in a safe place.

This will help the police reunite the phone with its owner if it is stolen and subsequently recovered.

The Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station or local dealer should be able to provide further information about marking schemes.

Radio/Cassette Players/CD Players

Always remove these if you can. Whether removable or not, all equipment should be marked both visibly and permanently with the vehicle registration number. Make a note of the serial number and keep it in a safe place.

Etching

Arrange to have the vehicle registration number etched on to all glass surfaces - including the side windows and headlamps. You may also arrange to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched in this way, but check with your manufacturer first.

Driving

Keep valuables out of sight and consider keeping all the doors locked and the windows closed. Thieves have stolen handbags and other valuables by opening car doors or even breaking windows while cars are stationary at traffic lights or held up in slow moving traffic.

Aerial

When parking put the aerial down to stop it being vandalised.