Below you will find information on protecting your car when it is parked

• If you have a garage use it.
• Remember to lock it. More than half of all car thefts occur in the vicinity of the home.
• When away from home, of if you do not have a garage, always try to park in a well-lit, open location. Thieves target car parks. A quarter of all recorded car crime happens in car parks.
• When parking in a public car park look for one that is well supervised, with restricted entry and exit points, good lighting and security cameras. Avoid dark corners.

The Police scheme "Secured Car Parks" aims to make car parks safer, more attractive places by setting high crime prevention standards of internal design, layout and management. Those measuring up are entitled to display the official gold or silver "Secured Car Parks" plaque.

For a list of "Secured Car Parks" in your area, contact the Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station.

Watch out for strangers showing interest in your car or your neighbour's car. They may be thinking about stealing it, rather then admiring it! If they look suspicious call the police straight away.