The advice was issued by West Mercia Police’s Warndon Safer Neighbourhood Team ahead of two meetings at Woodgreen Evangelical Church in Hastings Drive in Warndon, Worcester this month.
The first meeting is on Sunday, January 5 and the second is on Sunday, January 19, both running between 10.45am and 11.30am.
All meetings are subject to operational commitments. Advice, published on website Neighbourhood Matters, includes: locking your vehicle even when filling up or parked and keeping the vehicle keys safe by leaving them out of view when at home, and away from your front door.
A police spokesperson said: “It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.”
Keyless car theft or ‘relay theft’ is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition but this can be stopped using a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.
The public is also asked to ‘be aware of carjackers’ in traffic and if their car is ‘bumped from behind’ they are urged to wait to pull over somewhere safe and preferably where there are people.
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“If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call 999 as soon as possible, and ask for the police,” a spokesperson said.
People are urged by police to park responsibly, avoiding dark and secluded areas.
Other risks highlighted by officers include illegal tow trucks.
A police spokesperson said: “Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, literally. So, if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – then please report it immediately.”
Other tips include fitting good in-car security locks and double-check electronic locking as some electronic devices can be used to jam the signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle.