I love my car, but worth dying for.....?

[Willy Nilly]

brianashley said:

LewG said:

If that was my pride and joy being pinched on the drive I'd defend it with everything I had, there's right and wrong and they've made the choice. A great shame that something so awful ended up happening to this chap, I hope the scum well and truly pay the price for their actions

And what do you have ? You have been woken up etc. they are fully charged up and do it many times. They have a plan. You "might" .You might be a black belt, but could you bite a mans ear off. Or put a knife across their face . OR spray acid on them etc ? Because you know , thats not "defence" you where in no danger . You want to enter the ring with guys that will have a lot more experience and are going to go a lot further than you may expect .Also , are you leaving the family inside to watch you die or be karted away to intensive care ? Use the brains to do more to stop them /reduce them etc with good security . If they want the keys let them have them, shout down where they are. Dont keep them with you . Love life more than a silly car .

Thinking won't enter into the equation, the householder will enter into fight or flight which is instinct and none of us really know how we would react unless it happens to us, but I suspect many would put up a fight. The value of the car, or whatever is being nicked won't come into it, it is the invasion of privacy and protecting your property and love ones.

[brianashley]

Willy Nilly said:

Thinking won't enter into the equation, the householder will enter into fight or flight which is instinct and none of us really know how we would react unless it happens to us, but I suspect many would put up a fight. The value of the car, or whatever is being nicked won't come into it, it is the invasion of privacy and protecting your property and love ones.

You do very little protecting when you are dead.

[Limpet]

brianashley said:

Willy Nilly said:

Thinking won't enter into the equation, the householder will enter into fight or flight which is instinct and none of us really know how we would react unless it happens to us, but I suspect many would put up a fight. The value of the car, or whatever is being nicked won't come into it, it is the invasion of privacy and protecting your property and love ones.

You do very little protecting when you are dead.

Rational thinking when you have time to reach that conclusion. Instinct and rational behaviour are often polar opposites.

[Hungrymc]

Willy Nilly said:

Thinking won't enter into the equation, the householder will enter into fight or flight which is instinct and none of us really know how we would react unless it happens to us, but I suspect many would put up a fight. The value of the car, or whatever is being nicked won't come into it, it is the invasion of privacy and protecting your property and love ones.

Thinking comes into it now - in advance, before it happens. I have certainly have a plan. My cars are a long way down my priority list for things that need protecting - it's not the same magnitude as my family. Unfortunately, these are or can be life and death situations, it's a time to have your eyes wide open.

[jmorgan]

brianashley said:

Willy Nilly said:

Thinking won't enter into the equation, the householder will enter into fight or flight which is instinct and none of us really know how we would react unless it happens to us, but I suspect many would put up a fight. The value of the car, or whatever is being nicked won't come into it, it is the invasion of privacy and protecting your property and love ones.

You do very little protecting when you are dead.

Yep, but unless you are a highly trained assassin or a highly trained give them the keys, then back to the above not thinking about it. Toss a coin.

That or just hang the keys n the gate when you go to bed.

[Jonmx]

Shakermaker said:

Jonmx said:

Sadly this is true. 'My client was in fear for his life when the angry man came after him and he just panicked, he deeply regrets his actions', will be the kind of bks the defence will push.

Whilst I agree this is bks, this kind of post seems relatively common and it irks me. Everyone forgets that the defence lawyer/solicitor/etc has to act to the best of their ability for their client. They can't go ahead and say "yeah, my client did it, and I'm not going to bother trying to defend them" - they have to properly apply their legal powers and they can't abuse it, but they can't just let their client go without any defence at all. Even if they know they are on a losing streak. It is their duty to the court to provide this.

I have many friends who work in the field of defence, and I spent several years working with defence solicitors. I know that the vast majority are decent, however; there are some who are not so honest. Defending their client comes in Court; when being interviewed, the solicitor is there to advise their client. Unfortunately, on occasion they go beyond that and help their client with 'remembering' what happened.
I have first hand experience of Solicitors who have fabricated stories for their client, rather than advising them. I won't go into details as I don't want to derail the thread, but one was a similar case that involved someone being killed and the driver running away, much like the coward in this circumstance.

[brianashley]

Jonmx said:

I have many friends who work in the field of defence, and I spent several years working with defence solicitors. I know that the vast majority are decent, however; there are some who are not so honest. Defending their client comes in Court; when being interviewed, the solicitor is there to advise their client. Unfortunately, on occasion they go beyond that and help their client with 'remembering' what happened.
I have first hand experience of Solicitors who have fabricated stories for their client, rather than advising them. I won't go into details as I don't want to derail the thread, but one was a similar case that involved someone being killed and the driver running away, much like the coward in this circumstance.

I also have a friend who "in his day" was "known" . If you Lived in Hendon 20 years ago you may have heard of him, "Alan"Boatsy (Huge spelling alert !) I would imagine if a member here does /did know him.They wont "step forward" . This man would RUN away from any form of issue/argument /conflict . Alan was either on the side of the law or right on the other side :-) He was the real Deal .Most people though of him as a Government MOT inspector .As this was his "day 2 day " job. He learned the hard way . And it stuck with him. Unless its a "Instant on the spot life or death" it was "run run run" .If he didnt run , it was going to be murder .

[J4CKO]

I think in these situations we need to just let them have it and have a tale to tell on here, this poor chap died because these scrotes are so intent on getting away with it and have nothing to lose.

I think it is possible to make it less attractive but my concern would be if my wife were driving it, these things affect everyone to different levels, I know we are blokes and all think we are Chuck Norris but we arent, and even if we can easily just brush it off, not sure my wife could, I know someone who had an R32, she is no shrinking violent and her husband is a Boxer who does martial arts as well, probably the hardest bloke I know, lightning fast and even he just dint want the agro after having some scrotes trying to nick it, even though they were sent on their way wondering what just happened to them.

Would be nice to just let them go and then remotely stop it and lock them in.

[vsonix]

AlexRS2782 said:

saaby93 said:

You dont hear about them trying to steal a Citroen picasso or a Hyundai elantra

Whats the market for the stolen VAG? broken up as parts?

Apart from cloning / parts, it's also right at the top of the list as the thieves current weapon of choice for a high performance getaway car in robberies, car thefts, etc.

Also popular for export to countries where the authorities are bribable or don't give a toss. Not just VAG though - any and every prestige car is at risk. Older cars may get broken for parts but once again overseas as if the car is rare or distinctive then selling said parts in the UK can be tricky as with most owners clubs having a social media presence means that people are vigilant. I know of someone recently who managed to track down a thief after getting a tip from a person who'd bought a body panel to find it had been badly sprayed and there were traces of the highly distinctive non-OEM colour underneath that the legit owner had painted the car.

[Loyly]

It's sad that this sort of crime is rampantly soaring upward. It was all but dead a decade ago, but with police budgets being slashed there isn't the cash to really tackle it these days. I look back to my local force a decade ago. There was a large proactive traffix department, a vehicle crime unit, CID targetting gangs and large response shifts doing lots of proactive patrol against acquisitice crime. Now that capability is almosy all gone, left with just a few response officers on small shifts.

These aggravated burglaries and car jackings are thankfully rare where I live but I'd give serious consideration to my home security if I lived down south and owned a car that was current popular with the scum.

[InitialDave]

People are right on both sides. It probably wouldn't go well for you if you tried to fight them, but at the same time, it's not a situation that lends itself to people taking a step back and evaluating. I don't think you can know how you'd react unless you find yourself in the scenario, and no-one should have to.

No, your car probably isn't worth more than your life. However, it very much is worth more than theirs, so here's hoping these dheads pick the wrong house next time, and are found floating face-down in the nearest canal.

[ITP]

J4CKO said:

Does seem strange they target those cars quite so directly, loads of other fast stuff around, a lot of it is 4WD as well but they do seem fixated on them, In Cheshire there are millions of pounds worth parked on driveways (not mine ) and not really hearing of many problems, the odd one stolen for export, one neighbour has a new Q7 and an M4 vert, not sure why an S3 is so risky.

I think a contingency plan should be made, along with lots of thought on deterrents if you get one, security lights, gates and bloody big dog.

I'm hearing of a virtual epidemic of cars being targeted with burglaries in south Manchester.
Nearly all are S3, golf R, M BMW's, AMG mercs, range rovers etc.
I would imagine the appeal of the S3/golf type theft is 4doors to get your retarded mates in, and more easily decamp from, DSG and 4 wheel drive to help them go fast more easily.

This poor guy maybe knew the risks (insurance must be huge with an 'M' postcode) but thought he has 'out of sight' parking, so less risky.
I know you should be able to have the car you want, but around here an S3 is just about the most risky car you can own.

Bottom line is, the risk of getting caught, and punishment if you do get caught, is clearly all wrong. Until it's changed this kind of thing will sadly continue. Tragic situation for the family.

[Digby]

Area, age and upringing will also play a part regards a reaction.

You can still have the reaction of grabbing a bat and giving chase purely because you grew up surrounded by such things. It doesn't have to be a conscious decision.

I would suggest a large percentage of areas in Kent & Essex would react with fight rather than flight.

[StonetheCrows]

Digby said:

Area, age and upringing will also play a part regards a reaction.

You can still have the reaction of grabbing a bat and giving chase purely because you grew up surrounded by such things. It doesn't have to be a conscious decision.

I would suggest a large percentage of areas in Kent & Essex would react with fight rather than flight.

agree with the above although Herts based, had my Audi hire car jacked in Belgium while pulling up to park in to hotel car park. I didn't care really about car but laptop and the work involved was valued highly. Challenged with best french / flemish but the guys were eastern european - gave in when they pulled automatic weapons. Have the Hotel CCTV, clearly I am not Steven Seagull than seagal

[J4CKO]

Would love to leave a "bait" car somewhere and let it get nicked, then the scum get a similar treatment to Zed in Pulp Fiction.

[Cold]

Eyewitness at scene said:

“Then I heard his wife screaming. She was screaming for help and his name, which was … I was still kind of half asleep, which is what woke me up.”

Is a car really worth putting your loved ones through that? Secret Ninja SAS PH hardman types aside, getting yourself killed trying to prevent the theft of a car affects more than just you.

Link to article

[CoolHands]

brianashley said:

I also have a friend who "in his day" was "known" . If you Lived in Hendon 20 years ago you may have heard of him, "Alan"Boatsy (Huge spelling alert !) I would imagine if a member here does /did know him.They wont "step forward" . This man would RUN away from any form of issue/argument /conflict . Alan was either on the side of the law or right on the other side :-) He was the real Deal .Most people though of him as a Government MOT inspector .As this was his "day 2 day " job. He learned the hard way . And it stuck with him. Unless its a "Instant on the spot life or death" it was "run run run" .If he didnt run , it was going to be murder .

I've read that twice and still don't have a fking clue what you're saying

[Sa Calobra]

RIP. 1/2 mile down the road from me. I'd like to think I'd stay in bed, phone 999 however I've been downstairs and out the back door before when I heard a noise. Nearby also in Manchester a professional boxer suffered a fractured skull from a burglar.

We've no idea what we'd do until we are in the same situation.

RIP.

[InitialDave]

Cold said:

Is a car really worth putting your loved ones through that?

YOU'RE not. The thieving scrotes are. The "you" in that scenario is a victim, whose instincts went the wrong way.

[K321]

It is shocking that this has occured and i think car crime is getting worse.
When you are in a situation where your car is being stolen in front of your eyes you behave different as it is an adrenaline filled unpredictable situation.
I have been attemped car jacked by 3 balaclava wearing guys who waved a gun at me. I had my doors locked thankfully and sped off to police station. Was a surreal experience but nobody ever got charged.
Last november my audi got stolen in my office car park at 2pm. I have cctv footage of the incident and the criminals were so brazen. 5 mnutes after locking the car a vx zafira drives in car park. 2 tracksuit guys step out and then spent 40 minutes stealing my car in full view of passerbys. They changed both sets of numberplates then one guy got in zafira and other in my audi and drove off
I thought i never see the car again
Week later the car is found with sledgehammers and slabs of concrete in.boot but with £7k worth of damage
Nobody been charged with stealing it but just got told that organised criminals had used it for a job
Hate to think.what would have occured if i had gone back to the car whilst they were stealing it