Avoid Having Your Sat Nav Stolen

Recent figures have revealed a dramatic 10 fold increase in the theft of Satellite Navigation systems.

Sat Navs have now overtaken mobile phones and car audio equipment as the item that most attracts opportunist thieves.

Detective Inspector Kenny Ingram from Kent Police says: “With satellite navigation equipment becoming more popular with motorists, it is also becoming more popular with criminals. However, like most opportunist crimes, it can be avoided."

The Kent Police also give this advice:

Keep your equipment safe

When leaving your car take your portable Sat Nav with you along with the support cradle and suction pads. Remember to wipe away any suction pad marks on your windscreen or dashboard. Thieves will look out for these and may break into your car thinking you've hidden the Sat Nav in your boot or glove compartment.

Take these simple measures and reduce your risk of becoming a victim:

• Mark your satellite navigation equipment system using special security markers with either your postcode and house number, your vehicle registration number or another unique number.
• Making a note of the make, model and serial number of the Sat Nav equipment and keep it somewhere safe (not in the car). Consider recording this information with one of the commercially available asset registers.
• Don’t leave anything on view in your car - thieves are opportunists, they can break into your car very quickly.
• Lock all doors and windows, not forgetting the sunroof, when leaving your car.