Vehicle contents

Most thieves break into cars because they see something they want inside.

• Never leave valuables (eg CDs, purse, handbag, shopping, mobile phone, laptop computer, luggage, camera) in your vehicle.
• If you do need to leave them in the vehicle, don't leave them where they can be seen and conceal them before you park in case you are watched.
• Don't leave keys and your address or accommodation information visible inside your vehicle when unattended.
• Always lock your car, close the windows and never leave your keys in or on the vehicle. Remember, if a car door cannot be opened and the contents removed in a few seconds a thief generally will not bother.

Police are encouraging motorists with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) fitted to their vehicles to follow simple crime prevention advice:

• Theft of GPS from vehicles mainly occurs from the yard of a premise, street or car park. GPS are also stolen from unattended boats.
• Remove the GPS from your vehicle and lock all vehicle doors and windows.
• Remove all valuables from the vehicle.
• Thieves are opportunists and it only takes a few minutes to steal from your vehicle; so don't turn your car into a shop window for thieves by leaving anything on display.
• Take your GPS with you when you leave the vehicle along with the support cradle and wipe the suction pad marks from the window, even if you leave the vehicle for a short while.
• The first place thieves look is the glove box and centre console, therefore it is not advisable to leave your GPS in the vehicle.
• Police encourage owners to mark or engrave the GPS with their driver's licence number prefixed by the letter 'S' for South Australia eg S123456, as this can help to act as a deterrent to thieves and helps to ensure return of the GPS to the owner if recovered by police.
• Record the make, model and serial number of the GPS.
• When choosing a GPS it is advisable to consider the benefits of anti-theft security features to ensure it cannot be used by anyone who doesn't know the PIN or password.
• Never leave a GPS in an unattended boat, always secure it in a safe location.
• The South Australia Police State Crime Prevention Branch has developed a crime prevention flyer for distribution at the point of GPS sale incorporating the theme 'You'd be Lost Without It' - 'Remove Your GPS From Your Vehicle Before Someone Else Does'.
• The crime prevention flyer reminds motorists to remove the GPS from their vehicle together with the support cradle and suction marks.
• If someone has tried to sell you a GPS in what you consider to be unusual circumstances contact BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, you can choose to remain anonymous.

Vehicle theft

Most car thefts are opportunistic, particularly targeting older cars that are not protected by anti theft devices. A third of all thefts are 'home thefts' ie taken from the person's driveway, garage, from a back yard or from the street outside their home.

Help avoid your car being stolen by following these tips:

• Have an engine immobiliser fitted - this prevents the engine from running unless the correct key or other token is present.  See www.carsafe.com.au or call 1300 668 410 for more information about immobilers.
• Never leave your car unattended with the key in the ignition.
• Don't leave keys lying around on tables, desks or key hooks.
• Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car.
• Fit an alarm and/ or steering wheel locking device that meets Australian Standards.
• If possible keep your car in a locked garage or behind lockable gates.
• Never mark your keys with your name and address. Mark them with your business name and suburb or driver's licence number prefixed by the letter 'S' for South Australia eg S123456.
• Where possible, park in a well-lit highly visible area, preferably off the road.
• At night, choose secure or well-lit car parks.
• Remove registration papers from your motor vehicle, to make it difficult for the thief to sell it on the black market.
• When leaving your motor vehicle in a car park, be sure to remove your parking voucher.
• If your motor vehicle is stolen, report it immediately to police, providing the make and model and special features including the registration number.

The following leaflets giving more tips and advice on vehicle security can be downloaded or you can get a copy from the Community Programs Section at your local police station:

Vehicle security: All valuables have been removed from this vehicle  PDF (442KB) 

Car safe: car safe tips  PDF (483KB) 

Car safe: car immobilisers  PDF (634KB) 

Buying stolen vehicles

If you buy a car from a private buyer and it is later found that it was stolen, or there is money owing on it, you may lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it.

Follow the tips in Car safe: buying a used vehicle   PDF (529KB)  to reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle. You can also get a copy of the leaflet from the Community Programs Section at your local police station.