YOUR car is 40 times less likely to be stolen or broken into if it is in a garage rather than on the street, yet only 41 per cent of motorists who have a garage, use it for their car.

Recent research by the Home Office found most drivers use their garage as a utility or storage room, leaving little room for a vehicle.

As a result, 65 per cent of the 214,000 cars stolen every year in England and Wales are being taken from outside the home – with over 1,000 cars a week stolen from semi-private areas like household drives.

"Over 75 per cent of car thefts happen at night, so if drivers want to be sure their car will be there when they wake up in the morning, they should take additional security measures," pointed out David Brearley, managing director of security experts Autolok.

"The more layers of security a thief has to penetrate, the more he is likely to look elsewhere."

A security post in the drive is a good first layer of security and may persuade a thief to drive on by without even stopping. Lots of different types are available including ones that fold down, can be removed or even telescope into the ground when not in use.

Extra security fitted to the car is also a good idea – the more highly visible the better as the quicker it is spotted, the less damage is likely to be done to your car. Wheel clamps are one option and a good steering wheel lock another.

Whatever you decide, remember theft of car keys is one of the biggest growth areas so keep all keys on the same key ring and keep them well out of sight of windows and doors.