Crime Warning For Subaru Owners In Aberdeen

[scouk]

I know it's already been mentioned last week but thought it necessary to post this up..

Police have urged owners of Subaru vehicles in Aberdeen to take extra security precautions after a spate of crimes.

Grampian Police said thieves had targeted 21 Subarus in recent weeks and months, with nine being stolen.

The majority of the Subarus being targeted were the Impreza model.

A force spokesman said: "We would advise motorists, in particular owners of Subarus, to take proper steps to secure their vehicles."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_...nd/10284176.stm

[thefastone]

bit of a weak story considering the press release that I just posted...

[kennyuk300]

On this note with regards to security,what visible device would you people use /recommend ie crook lock ,disc lock?????

Kenny

Edited June 11, 2010 by kennyuk300

[scouk]

On this note with regards to security,what visible device would you people use /recommend ie crook lock ,disc lock?????

To be honst, other than a big rottweiler not much.. Perhaps CCTV can help if it's hidden, but IIRC it's not legal evidence unless the criminals are notified of the CCTV being there. perhaps someone can correct me on this...

Things like disc locks and stuff only deter some of the casual thefts... Professioanls can break through these surprisingly quickly.. And it's been publicised in the past that it gives the impression the car is work somethign and can often be targeted as a result! Even things like trackers have been known to be disabled by pro's.

The older imrpezas which seem to be whats targeted here are more vulnerable as the alarm immobiliser systems are not as secure as the newer ones..

hence why most modern car thefts these days, they go for the keys..

theFastOne, put up a pretty good post about this yesterday:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=149040

[kennyuk300]

To be honst, other than a big rottweiler not much.. Perhaps CCTV can help if it's hidden, but IIRC it's not legal evidence unless the criminals are notified of the CCTV being there. perhaps someone can correct me on this...

Things like disc locks and stuff only deter some of the casual thefts... Professioanls can break through these surprisingly quickly.. And it's been publicised in the past that it gives the impression the car is work somethign and can often be targeted as a result! Even things like trackers have been known to be disabled by pro's.

The older imrpezas which seem to be whats targeted here are more vulnerable as the alarm immobiliser systems are not as secure as the newer ones..

hence why most modern car thefts these days, they go for the keys..

theFastOne, put up a pretty good post about this yesterday:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=149040

Thanks Al ,just read Dales post .I was only thinking of it as a deterent as i know that these things are not good for the pro's,ingeneral terms a lot seems to be the opportunist car theif.Does the disc lock not carry some sort of insurance approved certificate ????

Kenny

[scouk]

Thanks Al ,just read Dales post .I was only thinking of it as a deterent as i know that these things are not good for the pro's,ingeneral terms a lot seems to be the opportunist car theif.Does the disc lock not carry some sort of insurance approved certificate ????

They do.. But not all insurance companies will necessarily take note of it.. similar to extra driving coruses, like skid pad training, pass-plus, advanced drivign courses. All these shoudl add up to discounts on car insurance, but I've found that insurance companies dont seem to recognise these things as much these days.. Also as mentioned on the other thread, trackers are now seemingly putting premiums up! if you have one and it's not active, you wont get insurance, but if you don't have one you get cheaper premiums.. for havign a less sucure car! WTF is that all about!

One other deterrant was a pedal lock device which seems liek a good idea, and stuck down int eh footwell they are more difficult to get to for removing. But don't know how much protection they give..

I guess, other general things, simple like keeping the car tidy inside, not leavign things lying aroudn or leaving evidence that there is anythign of value in the car could help..

[thefastone]

In one sense, I'm agreeing with you Al, but in another.... not so much...

It really depends on what you are willing to do when it comes to security, but just as long as you know that what ever you do, its not about stopping them dead, so much as slowing them down...

Point in question,I seem to remember reading in a magazine somewhere that the criteria for a Cat1 Alarm/Immobiliser means that the criminals cannot make off with the car within a certain length of time as part of the test. (ie: they cannot make off inside 6 minutes for example giving more time for get caught) although I can't find anywhere to confirm that right now... Either way, A pro will get past your Cat1 alarm, and they will get past steering wheel locks, and gear shift locks, but the idea is to make it as hard as you can for them... the longer and harder that it will be for them to get in and away, the less likely they will A) Bother, or B ) That they can do it before they are caught...

And it's been publicised in the past that it gives the impression the car is worth something and can often be targeted as a result!

And to say that by putting a steering lock on your car... well, I see what your saying, by not fitting the extra security, your saying that its not worth anything... Well, that theory works fine for your garden shed, but everyone knows what an Impreza is... they know that they are desirable, and they are targeting them anyway. So if they see 2 Imprezas one with a steering lock, and one without, you think that they are going to go for the one with the steering lock, when the other is easier to get away with...? Path of Least resistance and all that...

End of the day, its all down to the choice of the user, and what it's worth to you... if your happy that you have a cat1 security Which should feature a flashing red light for a start as a visual deterrent, then that's fine, but if your looking for piece of mind, then I don't think that investing in the extra devices will do you any harm...

And its a very good bit of Advice from Al there too, that I can't stress enough, (Although rarely pay attention to myself) keep the car tidy inside, an opportunist is more likely to break in if they think that there is something worth stealing, even if it's just a carrier bag of rubbish, they wont know that till they are in!!! and when you consider that you can enter an Impreza in Seconds (Classics especially) without breaking anything, it means that the thieves can be gone in seconds too...

Edited June 12, 2010 by thefastone

[scouk]

Good points there dale.. If the cars are beign specificially targetted they will try get hold of them regardless. And yeah naturally the more security barriers the more time it will take for theives to get through them...

Another more expensive option is to upgrade the alarm system on teh car.. But the more secure/awkward systems with specikfic carjacking modes can often seem inconvenient for every day use. And many don't like them.. But it's the same as adding a steeringwheel/pedal/gearstick lock on teh car.. IT's inconveneient, takes more time for you to leave and secure your car.. But as dale rightly mentioned it takes the theives longer to take it.. Bit of a trade off really. But the options are there.. I'd go down the more secure route myself, safe in the knowledge that the vehicle is more secure..

[kennyuk300]

Right guy's which visible one would you use?????

Kenny

[davey l wrx]

My car came with a Secure lock on the gearbox (secures the gearstick in neutral). Always use it when i park up away from home. I'm guessing it works well enough i bought the car from Newcastle and not much is safe down there!

I have thought about getting a steering wheel lock but never got round to it, my car lives in a secure compound most of the time so i haven't seen a need. With my wench living in Westhill, Aberdeen i might have to invest in one!

[RA Dunk]

My car came with a Secure lock on the gearbox (secures the gearstick in neutral). Always use it when i park up away from home. I'm guessing it works well enough i bought the car from Newcastle and not much is safe down there!

I have thought about getting a steering wheel lock but never got round to it, my car lives in a secure compound most of the time so i haven't seen a need. With my wench living in Westhill, Aberdeen i might have to invest in one!

LoLoL

[Scooby_MAN]

In one sense, I'm agreeing with you Al, but in another.... not so much...

It really depends on what you are willing to do when it comes to security, but just as long as you know that what ever you do, its not about stopping them dead, so much as slowing them down...

Point in question,I seem to remember reading in a magazine somewhere that the criteria for a Cat1 Alarm/Immobiliser means that the criminals cannot make off with the car within a certain length of time as part of the test. (ie: they cannot make off inside 6 minutes for example giving more time for get caught) although I can't find anywhere to confirm that right now... Either way, A pro will get past your Cat1 alarm, and they will get past steering wheel locks, and gear shift locks, but the idea is to make it as hard as you can for them... the longer and harder that it will be for them to get in and away, the less likely they will A) Bother, or B ) That they can do it before they are caught...

And to say that by putting a steering lock on your car... well, I see what your saying, by not fitting the extra security, your saying that its not worth anything... Well, that theory works fine for your garden shed, but everyone knows what an Impreza is... they know that they are desirable, and they are targeting them anyway. So if they see 2 Imprezas one with a steering lock, and one without, you think that they are going to go for the one with the steering lock, when the other is easier to get away with...? Path of Least resistance and all that...

End of the day, its all down to the choice of the user, and what it's worth to you... if your happy that you have a cat1 security Which should feature a flashing red light for a start as a visual deterrent, then that's fine, but if your looking for piece of mind, then I don't think that investing in the extra devices will do you any harm...

And its a very good bit of Advice from Al there too, that I can't stress enough, (Although rarely pay attention to myself) keep the car tidy inside, an opportunist is more likely to break in if they think that there is something worth stealing, even if it's just a carrier bag of rubbish, they wont know that till they are in!!! and when you consider that you can enter an Impreza in Seconds (Classics especially) without breaking anything, it means that the thieves can be gone in seconds too...

Dale, I totally agree with this. Nowadays, if a pro wants your car, they will have it eventually. Unless it's mega secure!!

[thefastone]

Right guy's which visible one would you use?????

Kenny

When using them in conjunction with an approved Cat1 Alarm/Immobiliser (Subaru Standard setup is covered if you have that fittted - Some older cars and imports dont) then something like that following would be a good supplement.

Something like an autolock which hooks over your hand brake lever and locks your car in (3rd) gear: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...cm_vc=IOV4PDPZ1

Although, I'm not 100% sure that particular model would fit your car (Having not used one in years - I have used them before and they are good.)

or a steering wheel lock:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...cm_vc=IOV4PDPZ1

or

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...cm_vc=IOV4PDPZ1

Edited June 13, 2010 by thefastone

[thefastone]

I'm noting also the the second of the 2 steering locks are listed as Thatcham approved too by the way...

[kennyuk300]

I'm noting also the the second of the 2 steering locks are listed as Thatch am approved too by the way...

Thanks Dale :thumb up: Have had experience with the first stop lock the lock itself is made up with little steel barrels ,you know the key kind of looks like a crown (well i think so).Well one of them came loose inside and i could not get the key in .....Que the panic...took a while but eventually got a needle and managed to get it back into place,lock open and straight into the bin.

Thatch am approved one looks good ,will also look into the disc lock...

Kenny

[thefastone]

I've also heard folk mention removable Steering wheel boss too (Like the F1 Cars)... Although not sure if that would be a no-no for your insurance, I'm sure that I heard someone complaining about that before...? Anyone know about that?

[davey l wrx]

I've also heard folk mention removable Steering wheel boss too (Like the F1 Cars)... Although not sure if that would be a no-no for your insurance, I'm sure that I heard someone complaining about that before...? Anyone know about that?

Problem with that one is you loose the airbag, i do believe. I've never seen one that you attach a standard wheel to! Always seems to be some aftermarket wheel and i've never seen one that comes with an airbag....All the connecting and disconnecting might not be good for something with an explosive in it.

Personally i'd rather have the option of the airbag, cos you never know when you'll need it!

[thefastone]

No, Removing the Airbag is a given when going for that type of mount, but then its not a solution for everyone anyway. remember that not all impreza's have airbags anyway, as JDM Classics gennerally do not for example.

Other than that, some people make the choice to remove the airbag anyway, thats the kind of suggestion that would suit them more than someone who might just be looking to improve the security of their car...

[davey l wrx]

No, Removing the Airbag is a given when going for that type of mount, but then its not a solution for everyone anyway. remember that not all impreza's have airbags anyway, as JDM Classics gennerally do not for example.

Other than that, some people make the choice to remove the airbag anyway, thats the kind of suggestion that would suit them more than someone who might just be looking to improve the security of their car...

Forgot some of the older card don't have airbags.... can't remember the last car i've had that didn't have one!

A friend of mine fitted one to his stripped out escort that he used for racing and it was a nightmare for insurance.... Good rating for anti-theft but some companys didn't like the removeable boss system on safety grounds.

At the end of the day if they want your car they'll take it whatever it takes to get it! The more you do to deter the better i suppose.