Just an anorak or should I be worried?
Discussion
Came home briefly today and left my car parked outside the house. My son arrives a little later and tells me he has seen a man photographing it. Didn't think much about it at first but then remembered our next door neighbours had had a lexus stolen a couple of years ago after the thieves broke into their house and took the keys. Hopefully today it was just an anorak taking pics of a nice car (Porsche 997) but there is now a nagging worry that I (more correctly my car) have become a target....
Have spoken to Herts police who have logged the call but hope I have not wasted their time - pleasant and helpful lady took the details. What does anyone think?
Have spoken to Herts police who have logged the call but hope I have not wasted their time - pleasant and helpful lady took the details. What does anyone think?
When i had my Tuscan, I often came back to see people with their camera phones taking pictures of the car.
I wouldnt worry. Take it as a compliment.
If he was using a digital camera however, then that would show a bit more premeditation.
That said, I am not sure if someone was going to steal a car, what use a picture of it would be?
I wouldnt worry. Take it as a compliment.
If he was using a digital camera however, then that would show a bit more premeditation.
That said, I am not sure if someone was going to steal a car, what use a picture of it would be?
Einion Yrth said:
I am not sure if someone was going to steal a car, what use a picture of it would be?
He puts it in a catalogue to show his 'clients'? Just a thought, I believe theft to order is not uncommon these days.
If I was a professional car thief or for that matter, someone who wanted a specific car stolen, I would know what it looked like. If there was any doubt instead of 'casing the joint' to get a photo of a 911, I would do a seach in google/autotrader/porche website.
Quite possibly this would be the last thing I would do, except for write you a letter stating the time and date I am intending to steal your car, is act suspiciously around it and let you and your neighbour know about it.
If you look at statistics, there are probably 1000 or so petrolheads to every professional top marque car thief. Although the possibility does remain that the photos were taken by an incompetent car thief, it is very very slight and they actually stole the car with the same degree of competance they wouldnt get far.
If it makes you feel better, the usual tips would apply. Dont leave your car keys in view of windows/doors. Hide the duplicate set and use a single set and leave them in your trouser pocket (of course in your bedroom) overnight. If your car has Tracker fitted and you were feeling pernickety perhaps ring them in the hope perhaps they could mark your file if your car is started as high risk.
But, back to the point... If I had £100 every time I saw someone take an interest in my Tuscan and/or take a quick photo (I even saw one guy take a photo while he was driving a truck...) it would have paid for petrol for the damn thing!
Thank you justin - I had sort of come to a similar conclusion. Nonetheless it was a strange thing to do. We live in a pretty quiet semi-rural lane - very little through traffic (wheels or feet) and the car has been used daily through all the wet crud recently so looks rather dirty - not the sort of thing one would take a picture of. I have certainly followed your advice and concealed keys and made sure the house locked properly...(pick axe under bed 
)Decided not to sleep in the garage!
)Decided not to sleep in the garage! Beggarall said:
Thank you justin - I had sort of come to a similar conclusion. Nonetheless it was a strange thing to do. We live in a pretty quiet semi-rural lane - very little through traffic (wheels or feet) and the car has been used daily through all the wet crud recently so looks rather dirty - not the sort of thing one would take a picture of. I have certainly followed your advice and concealed keys and made sure the house locked properly...(pick axe under bed
Thats alright, security tips are good for anyone! Although now I know more about your situation, it is a bit strange! You dont owe the taxman any money do you?
(But seriously, they are devious...) At the end of the day though although it is a great car, if 'the worst' happened you only lost your car, and it *is* replaceable! Dont be fighting them off with a pickaxe, chuck them the keys!
In the days before digital cameras and cell-phones (even without cameras built-in), a car-thief of my acquaintance (although he had "retired" when I came to know him) kept a notebook in which he logged a description of every "nickable" car (make, model, year, colour, location) he saw on his regular tours of London and the suburbs. He stole to order, one or two each working day - Streaky
justinp1 said:
If he was using a digital camera however, then that would show a bit more premeditation.
Why?
Because a lot of people want around with camera phones.
Not many people walk around with a digital camera down country roads just in case they see a nice car.
I carry my digital camera with me in my handbag. It's a small 5 million pixel thingymejib and is very light. I have done so ever since being involved in an accident where some pictures would have been very handy.
You never know when you might need to capture 'that' shot
As for taking pictures of nice cars......well.....If I hadn't had my camera with me I could not have captured this little beauty
YP
justinp1 said:
Because a lot of people want around with camera phones.
Not many people walk around with a digital camera down country roads just in case they see a nice car.
I know a few people (myself included) who take out a camera with them when they are out for a walk/wander.
Saying that I would not take a picture of someones house/car without asking them first.
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