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From the Metropolitan Police website

Did you know that...

• Half a million vehicles are stolen in the UK every year.
• Vehicle crime accounts for more than a quarter of all reported crime.
• 40 percent of stolen vehicles are never returned to their owners.
• Older cars are more likely to be stolen than newer ones
• Property is stolen from cars every 13 seconds in England and Wales
• More than 30 percent of vehicle crime happens in car parks

Always

Close the windows and sunroof, lock the doors and activate any security devices when leaving your car unattended.

Park with care, particularly at night or if you are leaving the vehicle for a long time. If possible, park in a busy, well-lit area.

Never

Leave cash, credit cards, cheque book, mobile phones, vehicle documents or other valuables in the car.

(If you have no choice but to do so, make sure they are hidden well out of sight before you begin your journey - thieves may be watching you park!)

Never leave them in the car, even for a second - treat them as you would your cash and credit cards.

Make sure they are kept in a secure place at home and at work - burglars have been known to break into houses and offices to steal car keys.

Check it out

If you see anything unusual or suspicious, call the police immediately. In an emergency dial 999.

Vehicle Watch

Vehicle Watch is a scheme that can help keep your car or van safe at times when it is not normally used. Membership is free.

All you need to do is register with your local MPS police station to be issued with two Vehicle Watch stickers which are displayed on the windscreen and rear window of your car or van.

The colour of the sticker shows which scheme you are in, i.e. orange for day time (10 a.m.-4.30 p.m.) or yellow for night time (12.30 a.m.-5 a.m.).

A police officer who sees a vehicle being driven during the day (10 a.m.-4.30 p.m.) displaying the orange Vehicle Watch sticker will know that it should not be on the road and will endeavour to stop the vehicle and question the occupant.

If it is not being driven by the lawful owner or with his or her authority the police will take appropriate action. Exactly the same principles apply to the night time scheme.

Where to join

Many police stations in the Metropolitan Police Area are participating in the scheme. Simply call in at your local police station or local agent. It costs nothing, only a few minutes of your time.

What you have to do

Simply complete a membership form giving name and address and details of your vehicle. Having read the form you will be asked to sign it to say you understand the purpose of Vehicle Watch. You will also be asked to prove ownership of the vehicle by, for example, producing the Vehicle Registration Document.

After joining in the scheme the police officer, or an agent acting on behalf of your local police, will fix the appropriate Vehicle Watch sticker in the front and rear windows. Be careful to avoid heated window elements as damage could be caused on removal of the sticker. The sticker in the front windscreen should be clear of the area covered by the wipers.

You will be given a copy of the membership form and the police will keep the original to assist with the administration of the scheme.

It is important that the stickers are removed from the vehicle when you sell or dispose of it and you should notify your local police of the change.

Under no circumstances will information contained on the membership form, other than details already recorded at the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, be converted into computer data.

Buying a car

Always

• Ask to see proof of the seller's identity and address - an official letter or driving licence, for example.
• Make sure the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) matches that on the registration document - see the section VIN - know where it is to help you find it.

Never

• Let the seller bring the car to you, as you may need to confirm their address details.
• Buy a car without the registration document (V5) - make sure it has a DVLA watermark and has not been altered in any way.
• View a car before you've read "The Car Buyers Guide" - we suggest you take a copy with you as a reminder to ask the right questions.

Check it out

• If in doubt, ask the AA, RAC or another reputable organisation to inspect the car before agreeing to buy.
• You can check the car's history and second-hand status - see the section 'Take their advice' for further information.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), formerly known as the chassis number, is a unique 17 character number issued to every vehicle by the manufacturer.

Look for the VIN:

• Stamped on the body chassis or frame.
• On a manufacturer's VIN plate under the bonnet or fixed to the post between the front and rear doors.
• On an additional plate fixed securely to the top corner of the dashboard where it can easily be seen through the windscreen - this is called a visible VIN.
• When buying a car, always check that the VIN has not been tampered with and that it matches that on the registration document (V5).

Buying a new Car

We advise you to consider the following security features:

• electronic engine immobilisation
• locking wheel nuts
• secure in-car entertainment
• lockable fuel caps
• central locking
• security etching
• deadlocks
• alarms

You should ensure your car has as many of these features as possible.

Speak to your insurer about security - some systems may reduce your premium.

Think about fitting a vehicle tracking system if you are buying a particularly expensive car or one that might be attractive to thieves.

For security advice call the National Vehicle Security Helpline on 0990 502 006, or speak to your local police Crime Prevention Officer.

For a list of recognised security products call Sold Secure on 0800 192 192.

For information about vehicle inspections call the AA on 0800 234 999, or the RAC on 0990 333 660.

To check the status of a second-hand vehicle, call Equifax HPI on 01722 422 422.

For a free copy of the Car Buyer's Guide, published by the Home Office, contact your local Crime Prevention Officer.

If you have any information on any crime you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Met's Stolen Vehicle Unit investigates the activities of organised vehicle thieves operating out of London. As part of the Serious Crime Group, the unit has a dedicated Vehicle Crime Prevention Officer who develops crime prevention ideas and advises industry and manufacturers on security.