wickford90 said:
Cool, I'm with you now that makes total sense will put that in to practice and can sleep sound knowing my fender is safe. Ever thought about going into the car security business:D
Click to expand...
Well what did you expect asking someone who had just said they 'can't discuss it on a forum' to discuss it on a forum.. it's not rocket science.. :doh:

Anyway according to you car thieves have the brain power of a banana so there's nothing to worry about.. there, sorted..! :)
 
First published Monday 16 March 2015 in News
Last updated 13:35 Monday 16 March 2015

The top tips are not exactly ground breaking, it seems that the police plan for preventing defender thefts is to tell us all to be careful....
 
SteelCitySteves said:
First published Monday 16 March 2015 in News
Last updated 13:35 Monday 16 March 2015

The top tips are not exactly ground breaking, it seems that the police plan for preventing defender thefts is to tell us all to be careful....
Click to expand...
I think the police are doing what they can. They could do more but owners can help themselves too. Ideas may not be ground breaking, but they are something which sadly many owners whished they had of used.

Posted from the link above:



Tips from Cheshire Police
  • When you park your vehicle away from home, try to avoid places that are unattended, have easy access and are concealed from public view.
  • Where possible park your vehicle overnight in your garage if you have one.
  • Consider fitting a garage alarm and ensure the garage has appropriate locks and padlocks.
  • Block your Defender in with other parked cars at your house or business.
  • Consider fitting security devices like alarms, electronic immobiliser, steering locks, gear and handbrake locks and wheel clamps. Make sure you use them when you leave your vehicle.
  • Consider fitting a tracker device to your vehicle. The device will send out a signal, which will help identify its location if stolen. It is recommended that any security systems and equipment meets the standards of Secure by Design (further details to be obtained via their website www.securebydesign.com).
  • Keep your keys safe and out of view even in your home.
  • Consider having windows etched with the vehicle registration number.
  • If your vehicle has a towing hook, consider using a towing lock hitch cover.
  • Don’t leave valuables or tools in your vehicle as even a coat on the back seat is a target for a thief.
  • Report any suspicious vehicles or people using 101 but in an emergency always use 999.
 
I know the Police are at breaking point with all the cuts to their budget, surely with the clearly organised nature of all these thefts across Cheshire, and the North West in general, there is a little more that could be done? Is there co-operation between, say, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside Forces to get to the bottom of this?

The concern is not only one of the individual being deprived of a vehicle they have often saved for and lavished care, money and affection on, but also to what nefarious groups the ill-gotten gains are distributed; are there links to other forms of organised crime, drugs or worse? Security measures are all very well, but, as Swoggin has found, even the very best serve only to slow the determined 'professional.'

What response has been forthcoming from local Police and Crime Commissioners when contacted by a collective body, such as Landyzone, rather than just by an individual?
 
Taking in all the advice on how to deter thieves from taking my defender, it seems the more mechanical/alarms they have to go through the better, but a determind thief will always try, but they will always case out the vehicle several times and possibly follow it, take photos of suspicious people and cars/vans, that will always deter them if they are on camera, and post them on here for reference??
 
Lockable bollard

Hulks has posted a useful addition about lockable bollards.

He says:
A lockable bollard is the first visible obstacle even before they get to the car! I've had nice cars and it's never bothered me too much if they were still on the drive in the morning, but now it is paramount that it's there!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote This Message Quick reply to this message
 
Thefts continue across the North West although arrests have been made though there are other offenders out there.
A stolen Defender was used to pull a speed bank out of a Bank wall in Cheshire.
Thieves broke into a main Land Rover dealer and stripped the entire interior, including the roof lining, from a 110 in for service.
Offenders were disturbed in both incidents and the stolen property recovered.
 
Does anybody know if there is a correlation between colours and thefts? Does a Dayglo landy draw the wrong sort of attention for example, or does it make it less likely that someone will try and drive it down the high street? Does an unusual landy scream 'TOY! STEAL ME!' or is it far too obvious to pinch?

Having just had a distinctive military 110 nicked I'm trying to work out if merging into the background is a better option for the next one!
 
110Weasel said:
Does anybody know if there is a correlation between colours and thefts? Does a Dayglo landy draw the wrong sort of attention for example, or does it make it less likely that someone will try and drive it down the high street? Does an unusual landy scream 'TOY! STEAL ME!' or is it far too obvious to pinch?

Having just had a distinctive military 110 nicked I'm trying to work out if merging into the background is a better option for the next one!
Click to expand...
I would guess many are stolen to be stripped. Standard colours are easier to sell on as the doors won't need painting when you buy them etc if you sell it in bit's. Modded versions will have lots of toys which are expensive to buy like a winch, which is easily sellable. A bright orange one will stand out and need a full re-spray to stop the owner seeing it on eb ay for sale. Same goes for something with extensive mods. There's different types of thieves. Those who sell as parts and those who change the ID to sell on with fake ID. They will be looking at different things, but have ease of nicking it as a common factor. You can't rule out a LR owner nicking it to change bit's over to their vehicle too.
 
The most common thefts area of ex military landies and any special editions / upgraded models Overfinch, Icon etc.
 
Thanks for the write up I found it useful. I am a bit paranoid about getting mine nicked, I've only had it 10 months. When I got it I took some advice from Rosie, etched all the windows, use a disc lok, use a pedal lock, tracker is fitted. I always fit the locks when out at the supermarket or anywhere else.

Tonight, I went out to my garage, noticed a car slow up out the front of the house and then reverse so its headlights shone directly down my drive and stayed there. They were blocking the road in both directions to do this. They stayed like that for about two minutes. I went upstairs and noted the plate and will report it tp the police tomorrow. Might be nothing but not taking the chance.
 
Thanks for your comments.
Being observant and reporting information to the police is probably the most effective method of catching offenders, especially if incidents are reported at the time.
The new 101 police number is most useful as it is a national number and enables information and reports to be made to the police without looking up the number of the local station.
On going crimes or incidents should always be reported to the police using the 999 emergency number.
There are criminal offenders out there and the police will always appreciate the reporting of community intelligence as the public are the eyes and ears of the community.
 
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