There are over 30 million private cars in the country, and their number is increasing annually.

 

 

There are over 30 million private cars in the country, and their number is increasing annually. Recently, our citizens have become owners of prestigious imported car brands. They bring their owners not only many pleasant moments as convenient means of transport but also considerable trouble and distress. 

 

 

The deficit of cars and spare parts has led to a surge in crimes such as car theft and dismantling. More than 10,000 such crimes are committed monthly in the Republic. It should be noted that sometimes car owners themselves contribute to their commission through carelessness. In the Lepel district, over 12 months of 2019, 3 vehicles were stolen (2018 – 0), and 2 were hijacked (2018 – 5).

What measures should be taken to avoid trouble?

If your car is kept in a private garage, the primary security measure is to reinforce the garage. As a rule, criminals gain access to a garage through the gates by sawing through or breaking off padlocks, picking locks, etc. Sometimes they use portable gas cutting devices to cut out locks. Therefore, when manufacturing. Therefore, do not use padlocks for locking garage gates that can be easily broken off with a hammer, hacksaw, or crowbar. At least two internal locks are required to lock the garage gates, and one more that can be opened with a key from the inside of the gate. When choosing locks, preference should be given to those that use two locking mechanisms – one locking mechanism prevents the use of a second key to open the gate (with two different key configurations, like safe locks). Before stealing a car from a garage, criminals conduct "reconnaissance," select the target of their criminal intent, and determine its location.

To prevent criminal intent at an early stage, it is recommended: when carrying out any work in the garage, park the car in a location where it is under your constant supervision and, at the same time, it is impossible to determine which garage it was driven out of; when briefly visiting the garage, do not open the gates wide, the leaves should be partially closed (the same applies to the wicket gate – it is advisable to hang a curtain in front of the gates inside the garage, which prevents outsiders from determining whether a car is in the garage through the existing ventilation windows or gaps in the gates.

The main measures to prevent theft of personal property from vehicles and their hijacking include anti-theft devices and mechanisms that prevent unauthorized entry into and theft of the vehicle. A series of devices that prevent engine start-up can include hidden relays in the ignition system, one of which disconnects the battery or alternator; others disconnect the ignition system's electrical circuit at locations known only to the vehicle owner; and yet others, upon an unauthorized person's attempt to start the engine, disconnect the ignition system's electrical circuit and simultaneously activate the audible alarm system and lighting, both in the cabin and the turn signals and headlights.

It is also necessary to provide a few simple tips, the implementation of which costs nothing but will help the vehicle owner avoid many troubles:

* do not leave keys in the vehicle;

* before leaving, check that the vehicle doors and windows are securely closed;

* if you need to leave the vehicle overnight, choose a well-lit, visible, and populated location;

* do not leave the vehicle in vacant lots or areas with dense vegetation;

* Do not leave conspicuous items in your vehicle; it is best to take them home or, at the very least, cover them up.

* It is not recommended to leave documents and securities in vehicles.

* It is best to take radios, tape recorders, and televisions with you.

* Affix a poster to your window stating that the vehicle is protected by an anti-theft device, which may deter a criminal from targeting it.

* Use special nuts and bolts to secure the wheels, making them difficult to remove by conventional means. Increasing the time required for wheel removal is undesirable for a criminal.


Head of the Public Order and Crime Prevention Department of Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs

Police Lieutenant Colonel, I.A. Mikhno