We all know and have tackled the deadly Covid-19 pandemic for a long time. While the business landscape struggled to survive, the pandemic disrupted our personal lives, changing consumer lifestyle patterns and behaviour.
Similarly, criminals and thieves were trying to steal anything they could have a sight of for their daily survival. Car thefts soared during and even after the pandemic. Thieves steal the car, drive it to nearby industrial areas and strip the vehicle to sell the car parts for a higher price. As of March 7, 2022, around 88,915 cars have been stolen in the UKLinks to an external site., according to the data for the last 12 months. If you dive deeper, approximately 244 cars are stolen every day.
Such rising thefts have led the UK police to warn car owners to take care of their vehicles. South Yorkshire witnessed a 28% rise in car thefts–the most significant year-on-year surge. However, other areas are not behind, with London city reporting around 25%, West Midlands around 19%, and Surrey reporting 12%.
The Rise of Chop Shops
Experts point out that the shortage of legitimate car parts is a significant reason for increasing car thefts. Due to the lack, thieves can earn more than usual by selling those parts. Indeed, the pandemic led to the shutdown of manufacturing plants, leading to disruptions in the supply chain. Similarly, ‘chop shops,’ where thieves usually disassemble stolen vehicles, are increasing, and law enforcement agencies are identifying such shops and trying to curb the thefts.
These chop shops leave stolen cars for around 4-5 days to determine if the vehicle is being tracked. Then the cars are shifted to a garage where thieves change their identity and resale the parts worth their weight in gold.
If we look at the numbers, £71.2million worth of car parts were stolen in 2021,Links to an external site. illegally taking 474,600 parts. The most stolen part was registration plates–53,400 were number plates out of 474,000 components.
Criminals Eye for Catalytic Converters
Besides this, catalytic converters have been the prime target of criminals. These converters play an essential role in a vehicle as they convert gases generated by petrol engines into water vapour and lower the harmful emissions through certain procedures. Further, catalytic converters are manufactured using high-end materials such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum and are fitted beneath the vehicle.
Because of its valuable materials, thieves will often try to dismantle the car and sell those at a much higher price at scrap metal or recycling facilities. Moreover, due to its shortage, thieves can demand an attractive price, and buyers cannot refuse.
From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, catalytic converters theft soared by approximately 293% in the US alone, and State Farm paid more than $21 million in customers’ insurance claims. Experts state that the pandemic, disruption in the supply chain, and shortage of resources are all linked together, bolstering the interest of investors in these metals.
However, thieves either unscrew the converter from the underside of cars or use a ham-handed approach. Indeed, the latter one damages your car and burns a hole in your pocket when you repair it. Irrespective of how thieves steal the converter, car owners will know that the part is no longer present as the exhaust will make a louder noise. Though you can still drive the car, you’ll see a trigger warning on the dashboard.
Moreover, since 1975, vehicle manufacturers must equip cars with catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions. So if you drive a car without a catalytic converter, be prepared to pay a fine of up to £1,000 because your vehicle will cross the permissible limit of harmful pollutants emission.
Install an Anti-theft GPS Tracker
Nonetheless, vehicle and security system manufacturers understand these concerns and use technology to introduce ways to help car owners protect their vehicles, such as keyfob entry, thatcham approved GPS trackersLinks to an external site., dash cams, steering wheel locks, and much more.
GPS trackers offer valuable benefits and anti-theft features that ensure maximum protection of your cars. Real-time location tracking, geofence, and data insights on fuel consumption and engine status help car owners to keep a tab on their vehicles.
Anti-theft trackers with vehicle immobilisation features prevent car thefts by disabling the car’s engine immediately. Since thieves try to break in and steal the car with another key, vehicle immobilisation will prevent the vehicle from starting without an authorised keyfob inside the vehicle.
Moreover, you don’t have to activate the system as it works automatically, and the car control system identifies the wrong code or the absence of a key. It is effortless to use, and a thief cannot understand if such a system is placed in the car as it works silently.
While these security systems can help protect your car, individual efforts are also important. For example, some thieves will use devices to block signals when using a keyfob to lock your vehicle. So, manually check that the car is locked when you use the keyfob to lock the vehicle and the signal is not blocked.
Other Tips that can Ensure your Car is Safe:
- Never leave your valuables in the car even if you want to step out for 2 minutes, as thieves can steal your vehicle within seconds.
- Make sure all your windows are pulled up and properly closed. Criminals can use small open spaces to carry out their destructive activities.
- Place physical barriers or a long and strong gate for the parking area in your house because this means that you’ve installed enough security devices to prevent theft.
- Don’t leave your car idle and unattended or leave kids in the car–thieves can engage kids in their sweet talks and take the car away.
Protection of Vehicles is a Must
Nowadays, even insurance agencies warn car owners that if the stolen car is not equipped with an anti-theft GPS tracker, they will not provide the insurance payout for stolen cars. However, protecting your vehicle is crucial irrespective of what insurance companies or police authorities say. The best way is to take individual precautions and install a vehicle tracker to recover your car as fast as possible, ensuring maximum peace of mind.
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