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Automotive thefts and associated offences are up virtually 60 per cent since earlier than the Covid-19 pandemic, a rise gardaí have blamed on rising imports of automobiles which lack safety features.
The newest statistics present automobile thefts have elevated a lot sooner than different types of theft in recent times. Total, theft offences have decreased by virtually 4 per cent since earlier than the pandemic however car thefts and illegal interference with a car have elevated by 54.4 per cent.
Since 2022, when virtually 4,000 autos have been reported stolen, car thefts have elevated by just below 30 per cent. The earlier yr, thefts elevated by 52 per cent.
Thieves are more and more focusing on automobiles parked exterior houses, significantly second-hand automobiles with older or non-existent safety programs. On the similar time, fashionable automobiles with keyless entry programs are additionally being focused by criminals who can hack locking programs.
“Since Covid, we’ve seen a year-on-year improve in thefts, primarily of automobiles which lack safety features,” mentioned Sgt Mark Bolger of the Garda Nationwide Crime Prevention Unit
Since 1998 all automobiles manufactured for the EU market should be fitted with immobilisers which stop the engine from activating until the proper secret is used. Nevertheless, this rule doesn’t apply to direct imports from nations exterior the EU.
More and more, to save cash, prospects are importing automobiles immediately from nations similar to Japan which lack lots of the safety features customary on automobiles made for EU markets.
“They have a tendency to lack immobilisers and alarm programs that are key safety features,” mentioned Sgt Boyle.
He mentioned automobile thieves may even search for the purpose of least resistance. “In case your automobile is missing these options it makes the job of a thief a hell of so much simpler.”
Sgt Boyle urged folks contemplating importing a automobile from exterior the EU to think about the safety features and “make a judgment”. If folks nonetheless wish to import a automobile, they need to think about retrofitting an immobiliser to discourage thieves.
A less expensive various is buying a steering wheel lock. “There’s excellent ones now which go over the wheel and appear like a clamp.”
In addition to securing the automobile, these locks are very seen and function a deterrent for thieves, he mentioned.
“If a thief is strolling previous your automobile, they are going to see the lock and suppose twice about breaking in as they’ll have to try this further bit of labor,” mentioned Sgt Boyle.
Compared to the price of the car, the price of a steering wheel lock “is a no brainer”, he added.
Concerning automobiles with keyless entry programs, gardaí advocate motorists preserve their key fobs in a Faraday bag or biscuit tin whereas at residence. This prevents the fob’s sign from being remotely copied by thieves and used to achieve entry to the car.
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