ACCORDING to the figures collected for 2002’s British Crime Survey, there were 2,597,000 vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts during 2001/2002.

It is believed that 94 per cent of thefts were reported to the police.

Considering the numbers involved, it might seem as if there is little protection for the individual motorist, but that is not the way that Ian Davis-Knight, operations manager for the Retail Motor Industry Federation, sees it.

He said: “Car crime is a problem, but the motorist is not powerless against it.”

According to Davis-Knight, security features help drivers to protect their vehicles.

He explained: “In the last few years, vehicle manufacturers have begun to include security features as standard. Electronic central locking, alarms and immobilisers are no longer as rare as they once were.”

The equipment can also be easily fitted to cars not originally fitted with it.

Useful security measures include:

• Immobiliser: to prevent the car from starting; the best way to stop someone driving away.

• Alarm: make sure any thief knows your vehicle has one by displaying a sticker or flashing lights.

• Steering wheel lock: remember to activate this every time you leave your car.

• Locking wheel nuts: an economical way to protect your vehicle; cars are often stolen and driven to a remote area just to steal the wheels

• Windows, windscreens and headlamps etched with registration number or the digits of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

• Mark all car equipment with VIN number.

• Fit security labels and marking items in the car with your post-code, using a special property marking pen, to help police return your property if it becomes lost or stolen.

• Tamper-proof tax disc holder, to deter thieves from taking the disc to sell.