Near Theft of my S3
Discussion
A mate of mine picked up his S3 the other day, and all i could think whilst admiring it was that some scumbag is likely to break into your house where your children sleep to steal the keys for it. It's absolutely rife round here (rural part of Bradford) and the police don't give 2 s
ts which is the most appalling aspect of it all. They log it and file it and don't bother their arse to do anything about it.
A friend of mine is a PCSO and she took me to the local hotspots for car theft dumping after my wife's kuga was stolen off the drive. The car wasnt there but we found the 2 kids car seats and her uni work which had a few hundred quids worth of teeth models plus all her revision notes. The officer that came out first just filled out a form and pissed off again, claiming it was unlikely to be found and that was the end of her investigation, she didn't even bother doing a door to door.
Car was wrote off 3 weeks later after ANPR flagged it up. They couldn't pin who was driving so all 4 occupants released no charge.
ts which is the most appalling aspect of it all. They log it and file it and don't bother their arse to do anything about it. A friend of mine is a PCSO and she took me to the local hotspots for car theft dumping after my wife's kuga was stolen off the drive. The car wasnt there but we found the 2 kids car seats and her uni work which had a few hundred quids worth of teeth models plus all her revision notes. The officer that came out first just filled out a form and pissed off again, claiming it was unlikely to be found and that was the end of her investigation, she didn't even bother doing a door to door.
Car was wrote off 3 weeks later after ANPR flagged it up. They couldn't pin who was driving so all 4 occupants released no charge.
Beedub said:
fiesta ST has got to be one of the most stolen hatches in a long time.... At least the security on them is ste enough they just taken them without entering your home.
Thee theives love the quick hatches, the likes of the s3, Rs3, golf R etc they will hurt you for them.....
Forget trackers etc etc. I was just thinking.te enough they just taken them without entering your home. Thee theives love the quick hatches, the likes of the s3, Rs3, golf R etc they will hurt you for them.....
Edited by Beedub on Tuesday 12th September 21:14
In light of the security breaches on Equifax etc. etc. Could criminals have access to MID or DVLA records, and be zeroing in on people who own nice cars?
I've had mine since April, 3 door manual and I live in a block of flats so I hope it's not so much at risk. Have been thinking of getting an aftermarket immobiliser fitted just in case if they're still getting nicked. I'll probably modify it though so maybe that will dissuade them...
Ultrafunkula said:
I've had mine since April, 3 door manual and I live in a block of flats so I hope it's not so much at risk. Have been thinking of getting an aftermarket immobiliser fitted just in case if they're still getting nicked. I'll probably modify it though so maybe that will dissuade them...
You're probably slightly better off in a 3 door car as scrotes can't just jump in and out of rear seats.vsonix said:
I've heard (dunno if it's true or not) that miscreants have started slapping their own trackers on these when they see them parked up out and about so they can then follow them home and attempt a theft at the most opportune moment.
Friend of mine had his RS4 targetted in this way. Tracking device found in the wheel arch liner. The cops had caught the miscreants and his car was on their tracking app. They'd been to look for the car, but hadn't found it. Cops took the tracking device away. 
It must be truly worrying to now own one of these cars. Crying shame that you can't spend your hard earned on something you like without having to worry about degenerates deciding they want it more.
This is nothing new though, around 2011 my then girlfriend was fortunate enough to be running a brand-spanking-new RS3. She was followed home by the same car on more than one occasion, and when parking in a multi-storey car park was surrounded by unpleasant types when parking up. She had the sense to not open the doors and at the first sign of another car, they scarpered.
This was part of the decision to get rid of the car, as I was working on the continent at the time and she, in her own words, felt like a sitting duck with that thing parked outside the house.
This is nothing new though, around 2011 my then girlfriend was fortunate enough to be running a brand-spanking-new RS3. She was followed home by the same car on more than one occasion, and when parking in a multi-storey car park was surrounded by unpleasant types when parking up. She had the sense to not open the doors and at the first sign of another car, they scarpered.
This was part of the decision to get rid of the car, as I was working on the continent at the time and she, in her own words, felt like a sitting duck with that thing parked outside the house.
Ructions said:
My wife's old boss's new Merc was taken along with her handbag in the night , a few weeks after delivery. She now has an Alaskan Malamute and has had further problems.
I would also think about one of those hijack alarm systems. So if you are threatened on your drive , give them the keys and it cuts out 30 seconds later when you have got your family and you to safety .
A large ish dog will deter most but I've worked in areas that had a group of males going around and just putting the patio door glass through while owners are sat in their living rooms, make threats with weapons and take the keys in broad daylight.
Recently know of a TTRS taken and within 3 days the engine was for sale a few hundred miles away from the theft. The engine and most things down to the steering wheel were for sale on eBay.
My advice would be to make some permanent identifying mark to the engine that would be obvious should the vehicle be broken. Something that would show up on a picture. Or things like coloured wrap around pipes on the engine with ID marked underneath so that it could be identified at a later date.
The parts were cash only sales and would only deliver, wouldn't accept a visit etc......
So either broken, used for get away or shipped abroad. Maybe if local scum get lucky it's driven around aimlessly and then burned out.
There's not much you can do to stop a determined thief but plenty to aid identification and possible tracing back to someone involved in the chain of theft.
Recently know of a TTRS taken and within 3 days the engine was for sale a few hundred miles away from the theft. The engine and most things down to the steering wheel were for sale on eBay.
My advice would be to make some permanent identifying mark to the engine that would be obvious should the vehicle be broken. Something that would show up on a picture. Or things like coloured wrap around pipes on the engine with ID marked underneath so that it could be identified at a later date.
The parts were cash only sales and would only deliver, wouldn't accept a visit etc......
So either broken, used for get away or shipped abroad. Maybe if local scum get lucky it's driven around aimlessly and then burned out.
There's not much you can do to stop a determined thief but plenty to aid identification and possible tracing back to someone involved in the chain of theft.
jezhumphrey75 said:
im sorry but If you live in these high risk areas why bother having these cars? is it really worth it anymore?.
I'm not assuming it's particularly trustworthy (in fact I don't believe it). But I've played with the BBC crime calculator and changing location makes very little difference to the 'vehicle theft' likelihood. I can change the percentage risk in the range of 4.9% to 5.1% by altering postcode (from rural Cornwall, to London, Birmingham, Crewe, rural north west etc). They seem to suggest age etc is a much stronger driver than location. They claim the national average risk is 3% so I'm high wherever I put as an address. If I increase my age and retire, I drop to 1.9% almost everywhere. They are obviously bundling far too many factors together which loses any real correlation to location.
Other than using intuition / common sense, what's a better source of understanding theft risk by location?
It is targeted.
A case in the Midlands a few yrs ago had an employee from a main dealer supplying info to gangs. You may have been followed.
It sounds harsh but if you want to avoid attention sell the car. Even if you take to parking away from your home to keep the scrotes away, you and yours are still at risk from car jacking.
A case in the Midlands a few yrs ago had an employee from a main dealer supplying info to gangs. You may have been followed.
It sounds harsh but if you want to avoid attention sell the car. Even if you take to parking away from your home to keep the scrotes away, you and yours are still at risk from car jacking.
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