Latest UK Figures (08 Feb. 2002) - over 1,200 Car-jackings in the last 12 months!

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What is Car-jacking

• Car-jacking is stealing a car by force or threat of force - in the last few weeks this crime has captured headlines across the UK, one man has even been killed.
• Even though it appears in the newspapers almost daily, Statistically your chances of being a victim are still very slim, and by reading this site can make the risk even lower.

Is Car-jacking Robbery

• Not necessarily, to have a robbery you must have a theft or an attempted theft. If all that can be proven about the offence is the lesser crime of Taking and Driving Away, then there is no robbery.

Am I Safe In My House?

• Not wishing to shock you, but NO. Evidence shows that car-jackers will tour affluent areas looking at cars parked outside houses. If they see one that they want they may try and break in to the house to get the keys without the owners knowing,
• There are however, a hard-core band that will break into the house and attack the owners getting them to hand over the keys. During this time they may also ransack your house looking for other items to steal, including cash, mobile phones and credit cards.
• Some of the reasons car-jackers are now attacking victims in their homes at night is they know that there is less chance of them being captured by CCTV.
• With less cars on the road at night, they also know that it is harder for the police to follow them or keep them under surveillance.

Is it new

• No, this form of crime has been about for a number of years, but more recently, because of the rise in incidents it has quite rightly come to the notice of the British press.

Do car-jackers always carry guns?

• No, we have seen that most car-jackers will carry some form of weapon, many do carry guns, real or imitation, but others carry knivies, battons or sprays.
• Even if you think the gun that they have is an imitation, or an air weapon, how do you know that they have not converted it to fire real bullits. Brocock, is a make of air pistol that can be converted to fire real bullits.

You worked hard to get it, now make sure you keep it!

Do they only Car-jack Ferrari's and Porsches

• No, in fact far from it. The most common form of car to be car-jacked are the mid-range saloons, V.W, Audi, B.M.W., Subaru, after stealing the car the thief has to sell it, so he wants a car that he can sell quickly, Ferrari's and Porsche's have a limited market.

Why is Car-jacking now a Problem?

• Modern cars are now fitted with immobilisers that prevent the old form of 'hot wiring' taking place. Generally now, if you are not in possession of the keys, you will not be able to drive the car away and the time that a car-jacker knows that you must have the keys for your car with you is when you are driving it or when it is parked outside your house!

Is it a crime of opportunity?

• The answer to this is yes and no. Car-jackers search for the most vulnerable victims. If you are a 6'05" power lifter the chances are that you will not be targeted. They also want a car that they can sell, so if you drive a £50.00 rust bucket, once again the chances are that you will not be targeted by car-jackers (traffic police might want a word though!). The opportunity bit comes in if you fit all of a car-jackers criteria of a victim and they happen to have found you.

I don't think he will have a problem with car-jackers!!

What Do Car-jackers look for?

• Places where cars naturally haveto slow down.
• Major junctions controlled by traffic lights.
• Garages and car parks, shopping centres, and grocery stores/newsagents, places where people 'nip' into.
• Self-serve petrol stations and car washes.
• Cash machines (ATM's)
• Residential driveways and streets as people get into and out of their cars.

"Bump and Rob" (bumping) or a new meaning to 'hit and run'

• it works like this. A car, "bumps" in to your rear end as you slow or stop in traffic. You get out of your car to check the damage and exchange names and address's. As you are talking, the driver's partner who has comes from another car nearby or who was one of the passengers jumps in your car and drives off before you have noticed what is happening. The person who has just bumped into you then offers to help and gets in to his car to 'chase' the car thief, which means he gets to leave the scene as well.
• The other version of this is less subtle, after they have 'bumped' you they just pull a gun and threaten to shoot you if you do not give them the car, simple but effective.
• If you are not sure about someone hitting you from behind drive to the nearest Police Station to report the matter there.

If you see this in your rear view mirror, You may have a problem!!

What can you do to stop being robbed

• When you get in to your car, lock all of the doors, and keep them locked until the end of your journey. Make sure that your boot is locked also.
• When you stop in traffic always stop far enough away from the car in front that you can pull round them and drive off if you need to in an emergency.
• If you're bumped by another car, look around before you get out. Make sure there are other cars around, check out the car that's hit you and look who's in it. If the situation makes you uneasy, memorize or write down the car's registration number and description; signal the other car to follow you and drive to the nearest police station or to a busy well-lit area.
• If you do get out of the car, take your keys, purse or wallet with you and stay alert. If you have written down the other cars registration take that also, if you leave it in the car they will drive off with it!
• NEVER leave your keys in the ignition if you have to get out.

Getting In

• Walk with purpose and stay alert, do not look like a victim.
• Approach your car with the key in hand.
• Look around and inside the car before getting in.
• Be wary of people who try and speak to you, asking for directions, the time or handing out fliers.
• Trust your instincts - if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors, and drive away.

Out on the Road

• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least part-way, if it's hot and you don't have air conditioning), no matter how short the distance or how safe the neighbourhood.
• When you're coming to a stop, leave enough room to manoeuvre around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away.
• Avoid driving alone. Go with someone whenever possible, especially at night.
• Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down. Help instead by using your mobile or driving to the nearest phone and calling the police to help them.

Getting Out

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Near to the kerb or footpath.
• Avoid parking near obstructions, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility, or near something that somebody can hide behind.
• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is locked. Put them in the boot or out of sight.
• Try to park in a garage with an attendant.
• Carry only the ignition key, with no other identification on it.
• Even if you're in a hurry, look around before you get out and stay alert to the surroundings.

If It Happens to You...

• If the car-jacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don't argue. Your life is worth more than a car.
• Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
• Try to remember what the carjacker looked like - sex, race, age, hair and eye colour, special features, clothes.
• Report the crime immediately to the police.
• Remember an insurance policy will replace your car, it will not bring you back from the dead.

Getting your car back

• The best way to do this and to assist the Police in catching the criminals is to have a tracking device fitted to the car that can be activated as soon as possible. In relation to the price of a car these are now relatively cheap and there are several good makes on the market. If you are buying a new car, haggle the tracker to be fitted for free. If you have one fitted display the manufactures sticker in the window, prevention is better than cure.
• The time that you wish you had a tracker most is when you see your car disappearing down the road, with the wrong person at the wheel!
• Never display a false 'this car is fitted with a tracker' sticker, their trade is stealing cars, they will know it is false.

AND REMEMBER

Car-jacking isn't just a problem in large cities - it happens in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas too.

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