Car stolen and my experience
Discussion
Dog Star said:
In any case - is there any value to you personally in getting the car back? You're better placed than most to know, but as far as I can see a claim is a claim is a claim. You've had the car stolen, or stolen and recovered, there will still be a claim and your premium will increase the same.
You’re right, a claim is a claim is a claim and the impact on my premiums will be the same either way. In the cold light of day, the. Yes I wouldn’t want a car back that’s been ragged around amd loads of miles out in by a group of scumbags. However, there’s also the pride (not sure that’s the right word) of not letting them get one over on me. As it currently stands the scrotes have a car that they can sell and profit from, as can a few others in their criminal chain. I lose out either way, I’d just like to think they’ll get caught, but I think I’m dreaming.
julian64 said:
In any car I've ever owned including brand new ones I've installed a button and relay in series with the fuel pump, and an ebay device that will text you a lat/lon based on a telephone card.
The button and relay costs about £1.50. If you disable the fuel pump on most cars they will start and you get about a hundred yards or so before the engine dies. That would give you enough time for the burglars to think they were home free and for you to ring the police. The engine would give the impression it had a problem rather than was alarmed. The car would be an easy find.
The gps lat long device of which I've used a few different types will ring my phone if the car moves during the night.
I think they beat a tracker, as there have been a few horror stories about trackers on PH in terms of their usefulness.
OP you just need to sit down with your experience so far, and scour ebay for what you think will work in your experience. Its all there.
Daft ideas such as turning your house into a protective fortress aren't going to work if you want a reasonable home with easy access.
Buying more and more expensive euro locks is also a waste of time. Easy ones can be bumped, more expensive ones can be hit with a mallet or easier still remove cut or break glass.
That's my twopen'th anyway.
I’m not one for home mechanics, in fact I’m competely useless on that score. Not too keen on cutting into the wires either with a home made switch on a brand new car. Tracker etc are recognised security measures. If the car goes this time, then I’m done with anything fancy. The button and relay costs about £1.50. If you disable the fuel pump on most cars they will start and you get about a hundred yards or so before the engine dies. That would give you enough time for the burglars to think they were home free and for you to ring the police. The engine would give the impression it had a problem rather than was alarmed. The car would be an easy find.
The gps lat long device of which I've used a few different types will ring my phone if the car moves during the night.
I think they beat a tracker, as there have been a few horror stories about trackers on PH in terms of their usefulness.
OP you just need to sit down with your experience so far, and scour ebay for what you think will work in your experience. Its all there.
Daft ideas such as turning your house into a protective fortress aren't going to work if you want a reasonable home with easy access.
Buying more and more expensive euro locks is also a waste of time. Easy ones can be bumped, more expensive ones can be hit with a mallet or easier still remove cut or break glass.
That's my twopen'th anyway.
The house measures are for a bit of peace of mind, I don’t think I’ll suddenly turn into some kind of hardnut prepared to take on a group of scumbags. However, it does mean that it’s going to be very difficult for them to steal the car.
AndStilliRise said:
OP, do you really want them to come back? Seriously, I think you have had a lucky escape and I would quit while you are ahead.
Buying the same car, parking it in the same place, albeit with more security will not stop car thieves. They will simply work around the measures and get the car, even if means threatening you with violence whilst tooled up. You have to ask yourself if your mental and physical health are worth more than driving a new, fast car. If it was me, i would be looking to buy a house with a garage instead.
Not trying to have a go or anything at you OP BTW.
I’ve already explained the garage situation. I’ve got a house with a single garage, which is used for other things. I couldn’t get a car in there if I wanted to. If I buy a house with a double garage then I end up with a 5 bed detached house and much higher running costs for a house that’s mainly just me living there. Buying the same car, parking it in the same place, albeit with more security will not stop car thieves. They will simply work around the measures and get the car, even if means threatening you with violence whilst tooled up. You have to ask yourself if your mental and physical health are worth more than driving a new, fast car. If it was me, i would be looking to buy a house with a garage instead.
Not trying to have a go or anything at you OP BTW.
I’ve bought the new car already and happy with my approach. If I post again in a few months that it’s been nicked, then so be it, but I’m not prepared to give up the things I’ve worked hard to enjoy “just in case”.
I’m happy that different people want to protect their stuff in different ways. I don’t want a £1.50 eBay relay switch on my car. I don’t want to learn to do that stuff as there’s every chance I’ll f
k it up and practising on a new M4 isn’t a great move IMO.
I’m happy to fit the Ghost system alongside a tracker and see what happens.
There’s nothing for me to recover from, I’m not emotionally scarred or anything like that.
k it up and practising on a new M4 isn’t a great move IMO. I’m happy to fit the Ghost system alongside a tracker and see what happens.
There’s nothing for me to recover from, I’m not emotionally scarred or anything like that.
Red 4 said:
Your stolen car will now be in a container on Liverpool docks/ on its way to the Middle East.
It will probably have been pulled apart by morons having a quick look for a tracker.
They are sometimes left for while in case the tracker (if fitted/ activated) locates the car. Obviously, they aren't left in a place that can be linked to the thieves.
Going rate paid to the thieves who go shopping is about 200 quid a car on a good day.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. It will probably have been pulled apart by morons having a quick look for a tracker.
They are sometimes left for while in case the tracker (if fitted/ activated) locates the car. Obviously, they aren't left in a place that can be linked to the thieves.
Going rate paid to the thieves who go shopping is about 200 quid a car on a good day.
andy43 said:
This'd do it ebay relay
Power up the car but it only runs for a specified time, 10 seconds say. Then it shuts down, again for a specified time - up to 15 minutes on this circuit, or just 10 seconds for entertainment value. Bypass with a hidden switch that either sends power straight through as normal, or sends it via the timer. You'd hook it into the fuel pump or ignition circuit - easier to do fuel pump on modern injection cars. Fuel pump fuse plus an earth close to the fusebox is a good place to start.
Pondlife wouldn't have a clue what was going on.
Would you really trust a £2 Chinese switch to not fail on you? What if it’s whilst you’re driving? Dread to think what could be thrown at you if you caused an accident with it. There’s a reason that Trackers only remotely immobilise a car once it’s stopped. Power up the car but it only runs for a specified time, 10 seconds say. Then it shuts down, again for a specified time - up to 15 minutes on this circuit, or just 10 seconds for entertainment value. Bypass with a hidden switch that either sends power straight through as normal, or sends it via the timer. You'd hook it into the fuel pump or ignition circuit - easier to do fuel pump on modern injection cars. Fuel pump fuse plus an earth close to the fusebox is a good place to start.
Pondlife wouldn't have a clue what was going on.
So said:
What's the value of your garage contents? How much is your car / safety / sanity / time worth?
B&Q sells some nice sheds for your accumulated crap. Put the car in the garage.
I’ve got about £70k worth of road and race motorbikes, £8000 of pushbike, plus £20k worth of accumulated race related “crap” in the garage. My shed is used for the real crap. B&Q sells some nice sheds for your accumulated crap. Put the car in the garage.
There’s also the small matter, as I’ve already explained that the car will barely fit in the garage and even if I did squeeze it in, then I couldn’t open a door to get out.
I think my sanity would be tested to the limit by leaving the bikes and associated crap out on the drive.
Prof Prolapse said:
Sorry to hear you've had it pinched mate. Whilst it's obviously doesn't suit everyone's circumstances, a dog is often an overlooked deterrent.
If you've a larger dog, they really can actively assist you in protecting your property as well. Obviously you don't train a domestic dog to attack, but they're still tremendously helpful in any confrontation.
My dog has actually helped me catch one car thief already. If rumours are to be believed he's done a fine job as a deterrent as well.
I can’t get a dog due to my lifestyle, as I work / live away a lot. I’d still be worried about putting what’s effectively a family member up against some scrotes though. As annoying as it is to lose a car, they are just metal and insured and can be replaced fairly easily, but an injured pet would be something else. If you've a larger dog, they really can actively assist you in protecting your property as well. Obviously you don't train a domestic dog to attack, but they're still tremendously helpful in any confrontation.
My dog has actually helped me catch one car thief already. If rumours are to be believed he's done a fine job as a deterrent as well.
I’ve heard some horror stories in my time about what scumbags have done to bigger dogs, I won’t post the details, but it’s horrific. In addition, there seems to be a trend of dogs actually being stolen as part of the burglary, if Facebook groups are to be believed.
Prof Prolapse said:
Understand about lifestyle, and them coming to harm. It's not the solution here.
It's academic, my dog is family, but he's here to assist with protecting my wife and son, and to a lesser extent property. That's his purpose, so I'm ok with him coming to harm, or indeed his end, in pursuit of that. The fact is though, in most scenarios you wouldn't set your dog on people, as a dog is far better suited to staying with your loved ones. So in most instances you'd have the dog sat with your family whilst you investigate yourself, rather than having a "release the hounds" Mr Burns style situation.
I hear what you're saying, a dedicated gang will get around it if they're so inclined, possibly horrifically, but it still reduces the number who will attempt it in the first place favouring a softer target elsewhere...
To me deterrents against theft are like the two blokes running away from a Lion. You don't need to outrun the Lion, just the other bloke.
If they defeat all the additional security I’ve now got in place, then they almost deserve the car. It's academic, my dog is family, but he's here to assist with protecting my wife and son, and to a lesser extent property. That's his purpose, so I'm ok with him coming to harm, or indeed his end, in pursuit of that. The fact is though, in most scenarios you wouldn't set your dog on people, as a dog is far better suited to staying with your loved ones. So in most instances you'd have the dog sat with your family whilst you investigate yourself, rather than having a "release the hounds" Mr Burns style situation.
I hear what you're saying, a dedicated gang will get around it if they're so inclined, possibly horrifically, but it still reduces the number who will attempt it in the first place favouring a softer target elsewhere...
To me deterrents against theft are like the two blokes running away from a Lion. You don't need to outrun the Lion, just the other bloke.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Thursday 18th January 11:10
ToothbrushMan said:
having seen footage of personal attacks on some pretty big strapping guys by gangs for keys id suggest that barracading yourself into your own bedroom with keys whilst it might stop them getting to you that way could lead to the scummers going the other way........kicking the crap out of an owner on his own driveway or i can think of worse.......
If they want it and know its there....theyll take it. to them its business.
Based on my discussions with the police and prison guards that is a massive rarity. Thieves know that burglary carries a certain sentence, as does car theft. Once they go upstairs the sentence increases significantly, as does the police involvement, as does the chances of being caught. If they want it and know its there....theyll take it. to them its business.
However, if they do go for the upstairs route, then it’s serious s
t. Red 4 said:
OddCat said:
It is mainly German high end / high powered stuff the scrotes want isn't it ?
Anything there's a market for - prestige/ performance car for parts/ export.Anything quick with 4 doors and 4wd if it's to be used in crime - Golf R, Audis of the RS variety, etc.
PositronicRay said:
So is an upstairs burglary more or less serious than say a bungalow, first floor flat vs ground floor flat? Is the upstairs still as serious if the householder is out? Genuinely interested in the guidelines. I can see why armed robbery would attract tougher sentences.
On another point
Speaking to friends who deal with serious crime. They tell me that clear up rates depend on perpetrators being a bit thick, cocky and making mistakes rather than clever detection.
I think you’re missing the point. It’s not about guidelines it’s about what the scrotes do. In a normal house, if they’re just downstairs and make no attempt to go near the homeowner, then their actions are viewed as against property, rather than the person, which ting upstirs would suggest they’re willing to do. On another point
Speaking to friends who deal with serious crime. They tell me that clear up rates depend on perpetrators being a bit thick, cocky and making mistakes rather than clever detection.
Totally agree that detection is more luck than skill, as much as we all whinge about the police, they are massively underfunded so resources are stretched and they will prioritise crimes against the person over property.
BobSaunders said:
As i was told the other week by a policeman sat on my sofa the other week. re. something on CCTV we captured.
Unless the burglar is on the property still, they will not bother coming out or investigating. They are under resourced and must deal with serious crime or crime occuring where they have a 100% opportunity to grab them.
They are stuck dealing with paperwork, mental health, arguments (which they must treat seriously), and criminals from the night before.
Thanks for your earlier comments. Unless the burglar is on the property still, they will not bother coming out or investigating. They are under resourced and must deal with serious crime or crime occuring where they have a 100% opportunity to grab them.
They are stuck dealing with paperwork, mental health, arguments (which they must treat seriously), and criminals from the night before.
The police were actually really good with me. Someone here within 30 mins and a big attempt to track it down, but there was a spate of car thefts following this MO amd it was getting out of hand. The area has been flooded with police including proper traffic cars since and a lot of cooperation between forces, as we sit right on the border of Lancs / GMP and the scrotes on their way back to Liverpool (as these gangs were) cross Cheshire and Merseyside too.
I’ve had a fair few follow up calls too, early on every time the phone rang I thought it was recovered, but gradually that excitement, then disappointment wore off.
Dog Star said:
You reckon they cooperate? I'm right on the Lancs/GMP border - as in my back garden fence is the border, can't get closer than that - when I had my bikes stolen back in 2014 I got the very distinct impression that there was bugger all cooperation and because I was in GMP it wasn't on the radar of Lancashire at all, which is annoying as I have a lot more visibility of Lancs police. I think it put me at a big disadvantage. Obviously experiences can differ.
(GMP were good though, had someone out withing half an hour, had a couple of PCSOs walking around the garden looking for anything, fingerprints lady same morning. They reckoned the bikes were being had away by east europeans - they were going through the area like a dose of salts stealing motocrossers. I was talking to one of the chaps who had had several stolen at the same time and he is a really good enduro rider, and rides all over the world; he was saying that when you're doing rounds in Poland that there are loads and loads of bikes there with all UK dealer graphics and so on - stolen.
Agree that the cooperation isn’t great most of the time and there is a “dead zone” for the villages either side of the border. However, this theft epidemic was pretty high profile and led to them having to coordinate stuff. (GMP were good though, had someone out withing half an hour, had a couple of PCSOs walking around the garden looking for anything, fingerprints lady same morning. They reckoned the bikes were being had away by east europeans - they were going through the area like a dose of salts stealing motocrossers. I was talking to one of the chaps who had had several stolen at the same time and he is a really good enduro rider, and rides all over the world; he was saying that when you're doing rounds in Poland that there are loads and loads of bikes there with all UK dealer graphics and so on - stolen.
I had SOCO out the next day and they took some decent stuff away. Had several calls from both forces looking for more info and working together, so I won’t knock them.
What was funny was that they flooded the area with cars, especially pursuit ones. Walking home from the pub the following Friday and me and a mate got pulled over and asked what we were doing etc. I don’t think they expected such a positive reaction from us about the pull.
TooMany2cvs said:
Where we used to live, the road down the middle of the "village" used to be the county border. Different forces... If kids were being a PITA on one side, they'd be chased to the other side. And back again. And back again. And back again...
It’s not The Dukes of Hazzard where’s you make a break for the county line and can’t be caught after you cross it. julian64 said:
Yep that's very paranoid
To give you an idea of the boxing in of my driveway, I’ve fitted 8 x 18 inch diameter wood bollards. These have c2 foot above ground and 4 foot below, concreted in along the length of the drive tomorevent them driving over mine or my neighbour’s garden. There’s two telescopic, commercial grade anti ram raid poles gone up too. I’ll take a photo tomorrow when it’s daylight.
andymac said:
I don't get this pure key less tech. I have 2 cars with it . I still prefer keys . Why cant we have key less entry but still have to start it with a key..
Is this not extra protection !
Mine requires a button to be clicked on the key to open the doors, there’s no keyless entry. They broke in to my house to nick the keys. Is this not extra protection !
New one will be boxed in as below. The wood bollards are 18 inch diameter, 2 feet above ground, 4 feet under ground and concreted in, the driveway bollards are telescopic, commercial grade anti ram raid poles
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff