Living with your car: avoiding getting broken into

Let's begin by saying that no matter what you do to protect your car, there's no guarantee it won't get stolen or broken into. A depressing reality, but a reality nonetheless. However, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you're as safe as possible - and we're not talking about moving house either (although if you live in one of the top twenty car crime hotspots, that might help).

Some of this stuff might sound basic, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to get caught out. Here we go then:

Start off on the right foot:

There's perhaps nothing you can do about this now, but if you are about to take the plunge and buy a new car, make sure it has an alarm and an immobiliser. As the name suggests, the latter is a device that stops the engine from being started without the actual key - so it can't be 'hotwired'. Some more expensive cars have a tracker fitted, which allows the police to see where the car is at all times once it has been activated.

All three of these things can be bought and installed as aftermarket parts, but if you can spec them into your motor in the first place, do so.

Clean up:

The proliferation of satellite navigation systems and digital DAB radios has given drivers a relatively cheap way to avoid getting lost and listen to crystal clear rants on TalkSport, both at the same time. However, these units are easy prey for thieves because they're mobile, universal and easy to sell on. And what is the telltale sign that a driver uses a satnav or an aftermarket digital radio receiver?

That's right - suction cup marks. These things are invariably stuck to the windscreen with nothing more sophisticated than a plastic suction cup, leaving a nasty ring on the glass when you're not using it. We've heard many tales of people having their cars ransacked for glove box-located satnav systems because the thief saw the giveaway rubber ring mark. The solution? Wipe your windscreen. Simple. And take your satnav with you too.

Park sensibly:

Where possible, and especially if you're in unfamiliar territory, park in an area where there's light and people around. Common sense really, but a car in public view is a safer one than the car hidden away. That said, as Manchester city centre features highly in the crime hotspots list, parking in a crowded place is no guarantee.

Fake it:

That's right, if you can't afford a decent alarm system (or it's just not worth the effort for your old banger), then it won't harm to buy a pack of car alarm stickers as a deterrent. You'd be surprised how much heed people pay to stickers - it could be the difference between losing your car radio and a thief deciding it's not worth bothering.

If you are particularly worried about a 'smash and grab' raid, invest in some anti-smash film for the windows, which goes on invisible but stops the windows being smashed through. Aftermarket window tinting will have a similar effect, although due to legal issues most reputable companies will only tint the rear seat and back windows.

Lock up:

Remember these? They're not in such widespread use now, but they're still available and can be a canny little deterrent (or a bulky one, in actual fact) especially if your motor's a little more, ahem, mature. Going further, you can lock anything that moves really, so invest in a gear lever lock too if you like - and a wheel clamp. Be aware that the ritual of unlocking and storing all these things in the boot on the move will slow you down in more than one way!

Talk is expensive:

It's not just the physical act of protecting your car you should be concerned about - thieves aren't all simply opportunist petty criminals. Some will employ all kinds of tactics to get to your car. One trick is to pose as the buyer of a car for sale and ask about its security. The thief will then use that knowledge to return later and steal the car - so don't discuss alarms and the like in detail with anyone until money has changed hands.

Thieves will also test the water by setting your alarm off a few times before actually making a move, the idea being that you'll eventually get tired of these 'false alarms' and switch the system off. Voila - they're in.

Think like a criminal:

Thieves are always on the lookout for a good opportunity, so don't leave your car unattended with the doors open; don't leave valuables in view on the seats (a very obvious one); don't leave your key in the ignition (we've all been there!); and don't leave your keys on a table on the hallway near the letterbox - an opened wire coat hanger is all it takes to for a spot of car fishing.

Mark Nichol