Police: Make it tough for car thieves

Following several incidents across the city Police in Edinburgh ask that vehicle owners take note of the following simple prevention measures that could stop your vehicle being stolen –

• Use a steering lock – a visible deterrent to thieves.

• If your vehicle has keyless entry use a Faraday pouch / metal tin to prevent relay theft.

• Do not leave keys close to windows / doors – this aids relay theft and physical theft of the keys.

• If you have a private driveway / parking space, consider fitting a parking bollard.

• Fit a lock to the vehicles On Board Diagnostic (OBD) port to prevent thieves easily re-programming a new key.

• Use a pedal box – these specially designed boxes fit over the drive pedals and lock in place when the vehicle is not in use.

• Physically check doors are locked before leaving your vehicle and don’t leave valuables within.

• Trackers can assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles – check if your vehicle has one and how to obtain information if it is required.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved.

Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.