Cars can be a soft target for criminals, however there are proven strategies you can adopt to reduce significantly the chance of your car being stolen.

• it is compulsory to fit an approved immobiliser at the time of purchase of a vehicle;

• park your car off the street, preferably in your yard or in a locked garage;

• if you need to park on the street at night, ensure you park in a well-lit area;

• it is an offence to leave your keys in the ignition while your car is unattended;

• close all windows and lock all doors before leaving your car;

• remove any items from your car that may entice a thief;

• remove chequebooks, credit cards, driver’s licence and registration papers from your glove box; and,

• keep a spare key in your wallet or purse rather than keeping them hidden in or on the car.