Satnav marking system released
Don't let thieves steal your in-car kit
Mark it and keep it
As thousands of UK motorists enjoy the convenience of turn-by-turn navigation, thieves are also cashing-in, and thefts of these expensive devices, costing up to £1,000, are dramatically increasing.
Identifying each satnav unit with a security code is, said Ford, a valuable theft deterrent, since it becomes riskier to sell and easier to trace to its original owner. In partnership with security specialist company, Retainagroup, Ford's UK dealers are now marketing a simple DIY kit which includes a unique code and 24-hour telephone access to the International Security Register (ISR) -- Retainagroup’s secure database on which details will be recorded with owner information.
The markings and ISR registration deter thieves by making marked vehicles and components more difficult and riskier to sell. A call to the ISR can quickly determine whether the seller is the rightful owner.
This system has been used to protect over nine million vehicles and is, said Ford, a proven deterrent to theft. The company said that a marked and registered vehicle is 55 per cent less likely to be stolen than an unmarked one, and that unique code marking is a powerful tool in detecting vehicle ‘cloning,’ acting as an independent crosscheck against other vehicle details. The chances of recovery are also 50 per cent higher if a stolen vehicle is marked and registered.
The discounted price of the kit is £10 through Ford dealers – normal price £11.75.
Metropolitan Police officer Commander Rod Jarman said: "Theft of satellite navigation systems from vehicles is a major issue, and any idea which will combat the problem is to be welcomed."
Retainagroup calls itself "the country’s leading manufacturer of vehicle glass and component security marking and registration systems".
edited to say:
If theives knew you needed a PIN of some sort to access any of the features of the unit (not unlike a typical mobile phone) perhaps it would deter some, and at the very least make the unit unusable for anyone else. Not even my TomTom Go 700 has this feature - strange for such an expensive, vulnerable piece of kit.
>> Edited by ubergreg on Thursday 16th February 11:40
This will help in the recovery process, but the private individual or shop that buys a sat nav unit unboxed (and possibly from someone who looks just a wee bit suspect) isn't going to check or care where it came from.
They should have an access code or something akin to the keyless entry systems.
shagga said:It's just like car radios, theif sees you've removed the front panel, they break in because you've probably left it in the glovebox.
Why would you leave a portable sat nav on display? You wouldn't leave a mobile phone or a camera sitting on the top of the dash. To do so is just an open invitation to smash and grab. Seems to me a solution for a problem that simple common sense would get arround. Take it out when you leave the car
With satnavs, the cradle on the dash says "I've got satnav in my glovebox"
They nicked my briefcase (foolishly left on display) left the satnav (which they would have found if they had looked) and stole a four year old Monochrome Palm PDA (none-working) that was on the shelf under the dash.
I assume they saw a cradle, saw a bit of kit with a screen and thought "Whoopee!!!" then realised later that what they pinched was worth around a fiver in the pub.
Got my briefcase back (phew!) with it's contents in full (double phew!) as the contents would have made an identity thief's day, week, month, year and decade.
Only downside was the £600 bill to repair the driver's door! Very frustrating.
Since that episode, I always remove the cradle from view (just BEFORE I arrive at my destination - you never know who's watching!) and the marks on the screen wiped away.
Why not encourage manufacturers to embed a transmitting identification code into the units. Only the owner would have verifction of this code.
Then if your was stolen you or the police could use the devices own GPS network to track it down.
bit like a Tracker, it would virtually eliminate this new crime before it gets started.
crbox said:
I've a better idea.
Why not encourage manufacturers to embed a transmitting identification code into the units. Only the owner would have verifction of this code.
Then if your was stolen you or the police could use the devices own GPS network to track it down.
bit like a Tracker, it would virtually eliminate this new crime before it gets started.
I have a better idea. Why don't we restore law and order to this country:
Deterrent 1: Public stoning/tomatoing in the stocks on a Saturday morning
Deterrent 2: Cut the hands off of thieves
Deterrent 3: Cut their nads off too and stop them from breeding.
I think I may stand for Parliament with my idea.
TUS 373 said:
Deterrent 1: Public stoning/tomatoing in the stocks on a Saturday morning
Nah..... put themn in the stocks in the "Market Square" or equivalent on a Friday or Saturday night...... that way the tomatoes could be part of the half-eaten kebab that gets thrown at them (Chilli sauce in the eyes.... lovely!)...... The stocks could also be used at the public urinal at chucking out time!
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