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December is the biggest time of the year for shoppers,
and also for car thieves. Car crime accounts for more than a quarter of
all reported crime in the UK. According to police reports, more than 30%
of car crime happens in car parks.
Diamond, a direct insurer specialising in car insurance
for women, warns that every Christmas thousands of people suffer the misery
of having their car stolen, or their Christmas shopping stolen from their
parked cars.
Diamond advises that there are measures which car owners
can take to help prevent car crime.
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Before leaving your car unattended, never leave anything
in view. Always take any valuables with you, or lock them out of sight.
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Make sure all your doors are locked and windows are
tightly closed.
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Whenever possible, park your car under a street light
or in a well-lit area.
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Remove the face-off from your car stereo and take it
with you rather than leaving it in the car.
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Never leave your keys in your car, especially when
loading or unloading the vehicle. Look after your car keys the same
as you would other personal possessions such as cash or credit cards.
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Having your windows etched with your car's registration
number helps deter thieves who would have to replace all the glass
before selling on the car.
Sian Lewis, managing director of Diamond said, "People
should be aware of the potential risks of car crime. Having your car broken
into or stolen is inevitably distressing at any time of the year, but
especially at Christmas when people tend to spend a lot more money on
shopping. We want to remind everyone of the steps they can take to ensure
a happy and stress free Christmas."
Issue date: 28-11-02
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