I’m an ex-police interceptor and these are my top six tips for protecting your car from motorcycle thieves

With car thefts on the rise and convictions declining, motorists are being urged to do all they can to ward off criminals targeting cars.

But as gangs of organized thieves deploy a range of new high-tech tactics to infiltrate and breach the security features of modern vehicles, motorists must become just as smart to protect their cars.

What can you do to make your motorcycle as unattractive to thieves as possible?

A former police intercept officer has offered his top six tips that can help drivers protect their vehicles from opportunistic criminals…

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that an estimated 130,270 cars were stolen in England and Wales last year.

This is almost the same as in 2022 (130,389 thefts), although about 25 percent higher than in 2021 (104,435).

Despite the increase, virtually none of the criminals responsible for these thefts are caught and charged by police, official data shows.

The The number of offenders charged with motor theft represents just 2 per cent of cars stolen between July 2022 and June 2023 – and in London this has been virtually decriminalized due to the Met’s difficulties in catching thieves, according to Home Office data showing have been provided to dashcam maker Nextbase.

So what can motorists do to best protect their motorcycles against these criminals?

Ben Pearson, former police interceptor and traffic officer, told us: ‘You don’t have to make your car the hardest car in the world to steal – just the hardest car to steal on your street.

“Today’s thieves are often sophisticated and well-rehearsed, but if there’s an easier target nearby, they’re much more likely to try their luck with that vehicle.”

To help drivers keep their motorbikes safe, Ben has given us six top tips to minimize the risk of your car being seen as an easy target by thieves.

1. Do not start the engine just to turn on the air conditioning

It sounds so obvious that it’s patronizing, but never leave your car unlocked and unattended.

It often happens in the winter when you defrost and run your car, but it’s also common in the summer as drivers try to deal with rising temperatures.

With spells of warm weather already this week reaching highs of 30 degrees, it may be tempting to start your car’s engine to activate the air conditioning to tackle the scorching heat in the cabin before setting off on a trip.

But leaving your vehicle unattended, even in your driveway or on private property, leaves it vulnerable to opportunistic criminals.

2. Go back in time with a steering wheel lock

One of the best ways to make your car harder to steal (and, more importantly, look harder to steal) is a wheel lock.

Big in the 80s and 90s to provide extra security before vehicle alarms and immobilizers were mainstream, these are now a recommended product to deter thieves who could potentially attack your motorbike using hi-tech tactics.

You can buy one for around £50 and it adds an extra layer of protection if a thief gets into your car via modern keyless entry, and gives you more time to hear an alarm or notice their presence.

A professional criminal can get through a wheel lock with an angle grinder, but the extra time and noise may deter him.

3. Dashcams aren’t just for insurance purposes: they’re also meant to deter theft

Dashcams have been introduced to the market over the past decade as an insurance solution for those contesting responsibility in road traffic accidents.

But they don’t just help drivers gather evidence of their innocence that can be provided to insurers and help lower car premiums for motorists. They are also a smart way to deter thieves.

The latest dashcam products can do much more than just record an accident while driving.

Some systems can even alert you if someone enters your car or if a burglary occurs while you are not at home.

By connecting to your smartphone you can deter a potential thief from a distance, providing an extra layer of protection.

4. Use your garage for what it was originally designed for

While not everyone has the luxury of parking on the street or in a garage, make sure you take advantage of it if you do.

I can think of dozens of examples of cars being stolen in front of homes where the garage is full of useless junk, leaving what is often the household’s second most expensive asset exposed.

Clean it up and make room for your vehicle. Out of sight, out of mind!

5. Ditch social media to keep your car safe

Social media can be a useful tool to let people know that your car has been stolen, but before then, keep your car off your profile.

Far too many people post photos of their car and license plate on Facebook or Instagram while their profile is unlocked.

Vehicles can be easily tracked this way and it is not difficult to find the vehicle’s location when people tag locations in photos.

Don’t make it easy for thieves to target your car.

6. Make motorcycle thieves aware that you are ready for battle

While all of these steps will make your car harder to steal, one of the best things you can do is make sure potential thieves know you’ve taken precautions to stop them.

The clearer you can make it, the better.

Don’t be afraid of window stickers, the big yellow steering wheel lock, a driveway pole or anything else that will make a thief think twice.