Car Safety

Whether it is a car stereo, a gym bag, or just a handful of loose coins, thieves will take it, and will cause costly damage to your car in the process.

Is your car at risk?

Do you:

• Keep cash or coins in your car?
• Ever leave your mobile phone in your car?
• Ever leave your laptop in your car?
• Leave property in your car, visible to people outside the car (including gym bags, shopping bags etc)?
• ‘Hide’ items of value under a towel or blanket?
• Ever leave your vehicle unlocked?
• Leave your keys in your car – ‘just while you run into the shop’?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you have – at one time or another – provided the perfect target for thieves looking for a quick steal.  Keeping your car target free reduces the risk of theft. 

Taking action

The City of Melville encourages local residents and visitors to be aware of car security at all times, and to take steps to avoid being an easy target for thieves.  

Protect your car

You can take simple steps to help avoid the risk of being a target for thieves.

• It is compulsory to fit an approved immobiliser at the time of purchase of a vehicle.

• Make sure your vehicle is locked and windows closed before leaving your vehicle, even if you are just leaving the car for a few minutes.  It is an offence to leave your keys in the ignition while your car is unattended.
• Don’t leave valuables in your car, and especially ensure that property left in the car is not visible to passers-by.  Remove all CD’s, money and bags from view when you leave the car.
• If you must leave valuables in your car, put them into the boot, out of sight.  Do this before you have reached your destination – thieves have been known to target vehicles after seeing people move valuables to their boot.
• If your car stereo has a detachable face, always take it with you.
• Be aware of where you are parking.  At home, park your car off the street, preferably in the yard, or carport.  At night, always park in a well-lit parking area. 
• Don’t leave keys lying around on tables, desk or key hooks.  If a thief can see your unattended key it is likely that he or she can get hold of them.
• Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car: thieves know where to look.