• 70% of cars fitted with Cobra stolen vehicle tracking systems
are stolen with their keys
• The average value of individuals cars stolen and recovered in
2013 rose £6k to £40,000
• Average police recovery time for a car fitted with a Cobra system
is 37 minutes
Nearly three out of every four premium brand cars stolen are
being taken using the vehicle's own keys according to latest
figures released by stolen vehicle tracking experts Cobra UK.
70% of cars stolen in 2013 and fitted with a Cobra supplied vehicle
tracking system were taken using the keys, reinforcing the need for
drivers to be extra vigilant at all times.
"Because standard levels of vehicle security fitted to modern cars
are so effective, thieves are having to resort to stealing the keys
to make off with the car," explained Andrew Smith, Cobra UK's
Managing Director.
"Most often that means breaking into a house to take the keys, or
fishing them through the letterbox with a hook and cane as many
people leave their keys on a hall table or key hook. It is also not
uncommon for thieves to steal keys from coat pockets in pubs,
restaurants and even workplaces.
"The difficult economic climate has resulted in more high value
cars being stolen to order, often by highly organised criminal
gangs who frequently ship them out of the country within days. It
is vital that drivers protect their assets as best they can,
starting by keeping keys safe at all times," he added.
Recently, Cobra's tracking technology has helped Interpol to
recover a luxury car stolen in Berlin at a location in Poland, and
an Audi R8 reported missing in Paris was located and secured for
repatriation in Athens.
Auto crime is showing no signs of abating with the average value
of cars stolen equipped with either a CobraTrak or NavTrak system
rising from £34,000 to £40,000 from 2012 to 2013. Expensive 4x4s
and high performance models from premium brands are favourite
targets.
Cobra is the only vehicle tracking company with a Europe wide
network of service centres working to established Police procedures
in each of 36 countries. Average time from a vehicle being reported
stolen to it being secured by Police with Cobra's assistance was
only 37 minutes in 2013.
ends...
For further information call Steve Carman, Simon Branney or Tom
Bowers on 01628 526208 - steve@, simon@ or
tom@nobull-communications.co.uk