Car theft, now vs twenty years ago ?
Discussion
I know cars still get stolen, a chap at work had someone break in to get the keys for his Merc C class a couple of weeks back and it hasnt been seen since, however do older cars still get nicked ? I remember in the eighties and nineties that people had all manner of steering and gear locks, there was a huge market in aftermarket alarms and immobilsers, I had a "Laserline" fitted to a Golf GTI by Halfords, they made a right hash of it, there were Toad immobilisers, dummy flashing LED's and alarams that told passers by to keep away. I remember going to pubs and there were lads with their car stereos on the table, I remember coming out and finding my Montego "GTI" (Yes, really) had been done, they hadnt nicked it but made a right mess of the ignition, bent the steering column, luckily the hidden toggle switch my dad had fitted to the ignition had prevented them from starting it.
Was wondering, if you still had an eighties/nineties car with no security would it still get nicked, as a rule cars were usually nicked by males aged 13 to 22 (Used to do crime pattern analysis for the Police) so all those guys are into their thirties and forties, would that age group now know how to hot wire a Montego ? would a forty odd year old bloke nick one for nostlagia ?
Do stereos still get stolen ? I was in Halfords the other day and head units are cheap, £49 for a Sony one, most under £100 and they dont fit in even most old bangers now without an adaptor, again, do the young scrotes still nick them ? there cant really be a market for S/H gear if it is so cheap new ?
I suppose now its all like my collagues Merc, stolen by proper criminals for financial gain rather than for kids to nick and joy ride in, in fact dont hear much about Joy Riding nowadays, does it still happen ?
Not getting nostalgic, it was a horrible time to own a car, couldnt leave it anywhere. I realised is was a bit of a thing of the past when workign on the ignition of a P reg Escort part ex and it wouldnt start becasue I left the little RF loop off the barrel when I put it back together.
What gets nicked now ? high end stuff for export, bangers for scrap metal, occasional opportunist theft, Classic Fords like RS's ?
Was wondering, if you still had an eighties/nineties car with no security would it still get nicked, as a rule cars were usually nicked by males aged 13 to 22 (Used to do crime pattern analysis for the Police) so all those guys are into their thirties and forties, would that age group now know how to hot wire a Montego ? would a forty odd year old bloke nick one for nostlagia ?
Do stereos still get stolen ? I was in Halfords the other day and head units are cheap, £49 for a Sony one, most under £100 and they dont fit in even most old bangers now without an adaptor, again, do the young scrotes still nick them ? there cant really be a market for S/H gear if it is so cheap new ?
I suppose now its all like my collagues Merc, stolen by proper criminals for financial gain rather than for kids to nick and joy ride in, in fact dont hear much about Joy Riding nowadays, does it still happen ?
Not getting nostalgic, it was a horrible time to own a car, couldnt leave it anywhere. I realised is was a bit of a thing of the past when workign on the ignition of a P reg Escort part ex and it wouldnt start becasue I left the little RF loop off the barrel when I put it back together.
What gets nicked now ? high end stuff for export, bangers for scrap metal, occasional opportunist theft, Classic Fords like RS's ?
My first ever car (Mk1 Golf GTi) had Yale locks fitted to it, so you locked the car as normal then locked the Yale locks with a separate key! Whilst the car was never stolen someone did break the window albeit never had the balls to climb in said broken window to steal anything 
It also had a standalone immobilizer the sort where there was a slot cut in the dash and I had the other bit with me on the keyring ie car wouldn't start without my bit of it slotting in the dash. Amusing days!
TX.
It also had a standalone immobilizer the sort where there was a slot cut in the dash and I had the other bit with me on the keyring ie car wouldn't start without my bit of it slotting in the dash. Amusing days!TX.
I still drive the cars from 20 years ago, so I think most people feel sorry for me.
I feel I live in a fairly good area and frequently forget to lock the cars and haven't had an issue yet. My daily Mk4 Astra I very rarely take the front off the stereo. The missus does out of habit in her Nova and the Mk2 Astra, although it's usually just stuffed under the seat or in the glovebox. They also have extra steering locks, but that's mainly for away from home rather than on the drive. You only have to stare at a Mk2 Astra and the door will unlock so it's probably best to assume if someone wants in, they'll get in. Not nearly as easy to replace the windows now though!
I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
I feel I live in a fairly good area and frequently forget to lock the cars and haven't had an issue yet. My daily Mk4 Astra I very rarely take the front off the stereo. The missus does out of habit in her Nova and the Mk2 Astra, although it's usually just stuffed under the seat or in the glovebox. They also have extra steering locks, but that's mainly for away from home rather than on the drive. You only have to stare at a Mk2 Astra and the door will unlock so it's probably best to assume if someone wants in, they'll get in. Not nearly as easy to replace the windows now though!
I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
My GTE has a plug in style immobiliser that isolates the fuel pump and starter. I've by-passed the fuel pump side as the circuits get lazy when they age. It not starting due to that is one thing, but I'm not having the thing run out of fuel on the motorway cos the immobiliser's died!
A show on the BBC last year said that old cars from the 80's are still popular with thieves but not for the reasons they used to be. Scroates and small time drugs runners take them to do a 'job' and then abandon afterwards.
In my road, every car is under 8-10 years old so you'll need the key to steal them. Apart from one car, my '85 Scirocco which I'm sure is a total doddle to get into and start up. If someone of dubious morals wants to get themself fifty miles away to complete a 'transaction' are they going to try and break into houses on the off chance keys are left on show or take a very easy option of an old car?
I've got a cut off installed on mine deep into the loom with a hidden micro switch. Also have a steering lock fitted and an LED that flashes when the engine isn't running. Not sure there's anything else I can economically do beyond this!
In my road, every car is under 8-10 years old so you'll need the key to steal them. Apart from one car, my '85 Scirocco which I'm sure is a total doddle to get into and start up. If someone of dubious morals wants to get themself fifty miles away to complete a 'transaction' are they going to try and break into houses on the off chance keys are left on show or take a very easy option of an old car?
I've got a cut off installed on mine deep into the loom with a hidden micro switch. Also have a steering lock fitted and an LED that flashes when the engine isn't running. Not sure there's anything else I can economically do beyond this!
DKS said:
I still drive the cars from 20 years ago, so I think most people feel sorry for me.
I feel I live in a fairly good area and frequently forget to lock the cars and haven't had an issue yet. My daily Mk4 Astra I very rarely take the front off the stereo. The missus does out of habit in her Nova and the Mk2 Astra, although it's usually just stuffed under the seat or in the glovebox. They also have extra steering locks, but that's mainly for away from home rather than on the drive. You only have to stare at a Mk2 Astra and the door will unlock so it's probably best to assume if someone wants in, they'll get in. Not nearly as easy to replace the windows now though!
I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
My 944 has a face off stereo, a Kenwood KDC 3027 (Just checked) on Ebay, they go for between 99p and £20 I feel I live in a fairly good area and frequently forget to lock the cars and haven't had an issue yet. My daily Mk4 Astra I very rarely take the front off the stereo. The missus does out of habit in her Nova and the Mk2 Astra, although it's usually just stuffed under the seat or in the glovebox. They also have extra steering locks, but that's mainly for away from home rather than on the drive. You only have to stare at a Mk2 Astra and the door will unlock so it's probably best to assume if someone wants in, they'll get in. Not nearly as easy to replace the windows now though!
I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
"poling" used to be the favourite way to nick cars in the 80's eraly 90's, especially in Ford's. Scaffold pole, you can guess the rest.
Or another way was pullers used in body work shops. The one with a slider and a big weight. Screw into ignition and plunge away until barrel comes out. No need to break steering lock.
Also, Swiss Army knives. The serrated edge would start most Mini, Ford and Vauxhall ignitions.
So I've heard anyway.
Nowadays it's all immobilisers and alarms, unless you own a BMW of course. They invite you in.
Or another way was pullers used in body work shops. The one with a slider and a big weight. Screw into ignition and plunge away until barrel comes out. No need to break steering lock.
Also, Swiss Army knives. The serrated edge would start most Mini, Ford and Vauxhall ignitions.
So I've heard anyway.
Nowadays it's all immobilisers and alarms, unless you own a BMW of course. They invite you in.
DKS said:
You only have to stare at a Mk2 Astra and the door will unlock so it's probably best to assume if someone wants in, they'll get in. Not nearly as easy to replace the windows now though!
I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
Funnily enough, when my dad had my MK2 Astra somebody tried to get in the driver's door but smashed the lock to buggery. They then proceeded to the passenger side where they attempted to crowbar the door open, but the door just bent around where they crowbarred it I remember 15 years ago I used to take the king lead off my 5 door GTE when going to the pub or arcade!
I think factory immobilisers has all but stopped casual TWOCing, it's planned stealing of the keys now.
A neighbour heard and scared them off, and it wasn't until my dad gave someone a lift that the five inch gap between the top of the door frame and the body was noticed. I've had to break into it before and it isn't exactly difficult, so I kind of felt sorry for the car thief who was defeated by it 
My Escort (mk4) was stolen a few years ago off of the drive. Used as a getaway in robberies, recovered a few months later. Since have a disklok and immobiliser on both cars and have had no issues
I think as mentioned above, car crime is generally much more pre-planned now rather than just breaking into a car and going for a joyride.
Interesting question.
Last year there were A LOT of E30 thefts going both in the Birmingham/Bradford area and also in London.
I've never felt concerned with my E30 tbh and frequently have left it with the top down even in rougher areas. I just don't think it's the kind of car that courts jealousy/theft. Would I do the same with an E36/E46 M3 cabrio? Prob not tbh.
FWIW, the E30 has a Clifford alarm/immobiliser thing. Does it deter anyone? Doubt it - I remember that Top Gear episode where they bypassed RH's Clifford on his E30 cabrio rather quickly!
Last year there were A LOT of E30 thefts going both in the Birmingham/Bradford area and also in London.
I've never felt concerned with my E30 tbh and frequently have left it with the top down even in rougher areas. I just don't think it's the kind of car that courts jealousy/theft. Would I do the same with an E36/E46 M3 cabrio? Prob not tbh.
FWIW, the E30 has a Clifford alarm/immobiliser thing. Does it deter anyone? Doubt it - I remember that Top Gear episode where they bypassed RH's Clifford on his E30 cabrio rather quickly!
Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 31st March 12:08
My 1.3 Astra was broken into in Highbury College car park in Portsmouth just after I got it 13 years ago. They appeared to just force the drivers door lock. They tried to lever the entire radio out of the dash (it was the latest Alpine with a fully automatic cassette player!) and actually failed, despite the front being with me. The totally destroyed the dash and the frame holding the radio in. They missed the CD changer just lying under the passenger seat, but took my coat from the boot. 
Cosham Police did fingerprint it though.
A new lock set (so all locks worked on one key!) from a dealer was £38, a new top part of the dash was £20 from a dealer and a new radio cage and front frame was about £20. I actually ended up with better stuff as a result. I did fit a Moss alarm and wired it to central locking motors, so I felt pretty cool for a bit. Remote locking on bangers was fairly rare in the late '90s!
I don't think that'd happen these days.
Cosham Police did fingerprint it though.A new lock set (so all locks worked on one key!) from a dealer was £38, a new top part of the dash was £20 from a dealer and a new radio cage and front frame was about £20. I actually ended up with better stuff as a result. I did fit a Moss alarm and wired it to central locking motors, so I felt pretty cool for a bit. Remote locking on bangers was fairly rare in the late '90s!
I don't think that'd happen these days.
Dealing with Theft claims is my main work.
Vehicles are certainly harder to steal these days which has reduced the number of "opportunist" theft of a modern car for joyrides etc.
If it's a high end vehicle such as a mercedes or BMW it'll likely have been stolen for export.
There has been a big increase in parts being stolen, front and rear bumpers, alloys etc
Vehicles are certainly harder to steal these days which has reduced the number of "opportunist" theft of a modern car for joyrides etc.
If it's a high end vehicle such as a mercedes or BMW it'll likely have been stolen for export.
There has been a big increase in parts being stolen, front and rear bumpers, alloys etc
Whe i joined the police 16 years ago car theft was rife, I used to recover stolen cars on a daily basis, sometimes more than one a day.
Now cars are generally only nicked with keys and I would say a good proportion of those reported are insurance jobs.
I would say car theft is running at less than 10% of what it was 16 years ago.
Now cars are generally only nicked with keys and I would say a good proportion of those reported are insurance jobs.
I would say car theft is running at less than 10% of what it was 16 years ago.
MJK 24 said:
I've got a cut off installed on mine deep into the loom with a hidden micro switch.
Back in the 90s my Scirocco GTX had a kill-switch for the LT side of the coil to help immobilise it when parked. It used the glove box light switch. It worked fine until I was on a trackday, braked heavily, and all the crap in the glovebox moved forward, brushed the switch and killed the engine...It took me ages to figure out why it wouldn't start. I'd given-up and called an AA bloke, who was poking around to find the mystery snag under the bonnet when I suddenly thought to check the switch. I managed to flick it surreptitiously and lo and behold the car started after he'd wiggled the rest of the electrics a bit
.Edited by speedtwelve on Sunday 31st March 12:29
Vince70 said:
You can still buy the aftermarket immobilisers as my 22 year old audi had a Gemini one fitted last year just before I bought it, even though the keys are coded and it has a cut out switch.
I remember back in the day you couldn't get insurance without an aftermarket thatcham approved immobiliser on anything which was slightly warm.
But I noticed now the insurance company's don't really worry, but I guess they know stereos are worth bugger all and the only way a car is stolen is if the keys are stolen BMW excempt of course.
So I guess the aftermarket alarm business is not a good trade to be in.
I remember back in the day you couldn't get insurance without an aftermarket thatcham approved immobiliser on anything which was slightly warm.
But I noticed now the insurance company's don't really worry, but I guess they know stereos are worth bugger all and the only way a car is stolen is if the keys are stolen BMW excempt of course.
So I guess the aftermarket alarm business is not a good trade to be in.
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