They tried to steal my TT.
Discussion
For the first time in ages my Wife was away from home for a couple of days and usually her car blocks the TT in.
So on the second day I came home from work and things felt a little odd in the house-you know when you get that strange feeling somethings not right.
I hurried out to pick something up and came back an hour later meeting the Wife and Kids at home.
The kids noticed straight away that a window in the back doors had been kicked in.
I immediately did a sweep of the house but no-one was there-the only things missing was one of the 996 keys and my Canon digital SLR-they'd even left a digi-camcorder that was next to the SLR.
They had rifled through all my documents looking for the documents for the car but hadn't managed to find them as they were in a different place to everything else.
For some reason the 996 was still on the drive despite them having the keys-maybe they were in the house when I got back-maybe someone else blocked my drive at a crucial moment.
So the car has gone to have new locks fitted-new keys and recode the alarm.
Lessons learned..
1)Don't leave the estimate from the alarm company sitting on your desk-get the house alarm fitted before you get burgled.I'd been mulling over the options and I took too long-just do it.
2)Make sure you always keep the car keys secure-they will check every cupboard and drawer in your house so be smart. The bedside table is their first port of call.
3)Keep all your documents safe as well-preferably in a proper safe-if they get these and your keys they will sell the car (maybe abroad) real quick.
4)Get a really big safe.
5)Make sure you have panic buttons fitted so if the family are in they can trip the alarm.
6)If possible put the car in a garage.
Hopefully my experience can help someone else prevent the same happening to them.
Still fortunately a 996 owner.
So on the second day I came home from work and things felt a little odd in the house-you know when you get that strange feeling somethings not right.
I hurried out to pick something up and came back an hour later meeting the Wife and Kids at home.
The kids noticed straight away that a window in the back doors had been kicked in.
I immediately did a sweep of the house but no-one was there-the only things missing was one of the 996 keys and my Canon digital SLR-they'd even left a digi-camcorder that was next to the SLR.
They had rifled through all my documents looking for the documents for the car but hadn't managed to find them as they were in a different place to everything else.
For some reason the 996 was still on the drive despite them having the keys-maybe they were in the house when I got back-maybe someone else blocked my drive at a crucial moment.
So the car has gone to have new locks fitted-new keys and recode the alarm.
Lessons learned..
1)Don't leave the estimate from the alarm company sitting on your desk-get the house alarm fitted before you get burgled.I'd been mulling over the options and I took too long-just do it.
2)Make sure you always keep the car keys secure-they will check every cupboard and drawer in your house so be smart. The bedside table is their first port of call.
3)Keep all your documents safe as well-preferably in a proper safe-if they get these and your keys they will sell the car (maybe abroad) real quick.
4)Get a really big safe.
5)Make sure you have panic buttons fitted so if the family are in they can trip the alarm.
6)If possible put the car in a garage.
Hopefully my experience can help someone else prevent the same happening to them.
Still fortunately a 996 owner.
Key safe / safes are OK until you wake up to find some thug demanding you give them the keys. Best thing to do is ensure you do all you can to stop or deter people getting into your house.
Once anyone is in - give em the keys as its better they steal your car (that's why you have insurance) than being a dead hero.
Once anyone is in - give em the keys as its better they steal your car (that's why you have insurance) than being a dead hero.
fulham911club said:
Once anyone is in - give em the keys as its better they steal your car (that's why you have insurance) than being a dead hero.
Your advice is good...on a personal basis. Sadly though its indicative of another problem. If the crims think they can just walk into any house and walk out unopposed with whatever they fancy - what's the deterrent? These people don't believe they'll ever be caught - and when they are they don't seem to care.
I suspect they'd care a great deal more if they believed that every single time they invaded someone's home they risked severe bodily injury or even death they'd be a lot less likely to try and commit burglary.
From society's point of view every homeowner has a duty to try as hard as possible to deter criminals from committing burglary...it should be a citizen's bounden duty to resist a burglar to the death...in some ways.
Shame we're not allowed "home-defence" weaponry: but how to make sure its only used for its intended purpose?
Difficult questions. From a pragmatic (and safety) perspective I completely agree with you. From a Society's Benefit standpoint I don't...
glad you're all ok.
I put my keys by the door (out of direct line of sight) - if they have the motivation to break in I want them to take the car and leave me in peace.
egbert said:
2)Make sure you always keep the car keys secure-they will check every cupboard and drawer in your house so be smart. The bedside table is their first port of call.
I put my keys by the door (out of direct line of sight) - if they have the motivation to break in I want them to take the car and leave me in peace.
Have you got Tracker fitted?
If so, I guess one option is to hand over the keys, wait until they are 5 minutes away (hopefully they'll have wrapped themselves around a tree by then anyway) and then call the cops, your insurance company and the Tracker folk.
Then go to the pub.
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 20th February 12:23
If so, I guess one option is to hand over the keys, wait until they are 5 minutes away (hopefully they'll have wrapped themselves around a tree by then anyway) and then call the cops, your insurance company and the Tracker folk.
Then go to the pub.
>> Edited by leeme3 on Monday 20th February 12:23
There is a few security systems available which will help protect your car from key theft.
Clifford BlackJax is a basic one which works very well - basically will let them drive for about 30 seconds before killing the car and setting off the alarm. Also does the same if you get dragged out at the lights etc.
Cobra also do a tracker which allows you to immobilise the car from the internet or your mobile phone, and track it online etc.
I guess the thieves could come back to your house and force you to bypass these systems, but suspect most would just scraper and pick an easier target.
Cheers
Chris
[LINK DELETED]
Note: Chris if you want to advertise please contact Ted about rates etc.
>> Edited by dazren on Monday 20th February 15:17
Clifford BlackJax is a basic one which works very well - basically will let them drive for about 30 seconds before killing the car and setting off the alarm. Also does the same if you get dragged out at the lights etc.
Cobra also do a tracker which allows you to immobilise the car from the internet or your mobile phone, and track it online etc.
I guess the thieves could come back to your house and force you to bypass these systems, but suspect most would just scraper and pick an easier target.
Cheers
Chris
[LINK DELETED]
Note: Chris if you want to advertise please contact Ted about rates etc.
>> Edited by dazren on Monday 20th February 15:17
Don said:
Once anyone is in - give em the keys as its better they steal your car (that's why you have insurance) than being a dead hero.
Your advice is good...on a personal basis. Sadly though its indicative of another problem. If the crims think they can just walk into any house and walk out unopposed with whatever they fancy - what's the deterrent? These people don't believe they'll ever be caught - and when they are they don't seem to care.
I suspect they'd care a great deal more if they believed that every single time they invaded someone's home they risked severe bodily injury or even death they'd be a lot less likely to try and commit burglary.
From society's point of view every homeowner has a duty to try as hard as possible to deter criminals from committing burglary...it should be a citizen's bounden duty to resist a burglar to the death...in some ways.
Shame we're not allowed "home-defence" weaponry: but how to make sure its only used for its intended purpose?
Difficult questions. From a pragmatic (and safety) perspective I completely agree with you. From a Society's Benefit standpoint I don't...
Ah Don, but this is what we get when the courts/the government set a precedent that people committing burglary/robbery still have rights, and that a victim defending themselves can be prosecuted for assault, gbh, manslaughter or the like.
Something very clever round the outside perimiter of your property. Dog. Alarm. Shotgun. 1st, 2nd & 3rd fairly self explanitory and designed to give you fair warning someone`s on their way in. 4th - make certain you are sure they were carrying a weapon and intent on doing you harm, inform them clearly and politely of your intentions then shoot them in the front of the body. If you pop one in from behind you will struggle when it comes to your day in court.
Although living in Richmond you may not have quite enough land to justify the gun licence !
Alternately lobby you local MP to have the law changed to ensure nasty people who do these things are caught and punished in such a manner they will be deterred from re-offending. Or on second thoughts maybe not bother and just fill in the firearms applicaion, (form 103) !
Henry
Although living in Richmond you may not have quite enough land to justify the gun licence !
Alternately lobby you local MP to have the law changed to ensure nasty people who do these things are caught and punished in such a manner they will be deterred from re-offending. Or on second thoughts maybe not bother and just fill in the firearms applicaion, (form 103) !
Henry
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff