Sat Nav Theft: How Can You Prevent It?

tracey simpson

 Sat nav theft is a worry for anyone who owns the latest GPS device, and with summer just around the corner police forces nationally are warning sat nav users to be extra cautious. It is expected, in the approaching summer months, that thieves will exploit vehicles venturing out with sat nav's, and other expensive in-car gadgets.

Why Is Sat Nav Theft Increasing?

Portable sat nav units could not be easier to use; they are simple to install, and mount on to a car windshield in seconds. Sat nav users can simply plug in, switch on, and enjoy the simplicity of a touch screen, intuitive interface, and seamless navigation.

Unfortunately, it is for this reason why sat nav units are so susceptible to theft. They no longer need to be an in-build permanent fixture, and so their portability means they can be simply removed by an opportunist thief, just as quickly as the owner installed them.

The affordability of current satellite navigation systems also makes this valuable commodity very desirable. Recent government statistics revealed that over 2.2 million vehicles now have satellite navigation units fitted. Subsequently, thieves won't think twice about damaging a vehicle if it means they can sell the goods, and make a lot of profit.

What Can You Do To Deter Thieves From Stealing Your Sat Nav System?

It is not always convenient to take all of your valuable items with you when you leave your vehicle, but simply placing them in your glove compartment, or under your seat is not enough. "According to recent police reports; plug-in leads, sat nav mounting brackets, and even fixture marks on the window screen can provoke thieves to break in a vehicle, they know all the usual hiding places." Comments Mr Bowes, Product Manager at GlobalPositioningSystems.co.uk   Vehicle security leaders; Stoplock and Pacsafe have recently turned their attention to sat nav theft, and have launched new anti-theft solutions that aim to beat this growing crime. The impressive feature about both of these solutions is that they enable users to leave their sat nav's behind, whilst also giving users the peace of mind that they will not be returning to a smashed side window.   Stoplock's Strongbox is a small, but very tough metal safe that can be anchored to any fixed point inside a vehicle. The Strongbox is secured using a steel cable that locks inside the safe itself.   Pacsafe's Travelsafe is more like a drawstring bag with a high security laminated construction. The bag is made of stainless steel wire mesh, sandwiched between durable weather resistant nylon. Its stainless steel drawstring and brass padlock ensures maximum sat nav security.

Ultimately, if you do leave your sat nav unit behind in your vehicle, it is important to securely hide them away. Anybody who leaves even a slight indication that a sat nav has been left inside a vehicle has an increased chance of a break in. A lock-away safe, which can both hide valuable items away, and prevent thieves from stealing them should they happen to find the safe, is a great solution.  Safes like the Strongbox and the Travelsafe can also hold any valuables that could be tempting to an opportunist thief; a wallet, iPod, or PDA, for example. At around £40 for the Strongbox, and £25 for the Travelsafe, solutions like these are much cheaper, and a lot less painful than losing your expensive sat nav, or having to replace a smashed window. 

With sat nav theft becoming increasingly frequent, Tracey Simpson has written this article to help readers, and owners of GPS units to understand the importance of anti-theft sat nav solutions. Please visit: http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/pacsafe-travel-safe-description.html (Pacsafe Travel Safe) and http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/saxon-stoplock-strongbox-description.htm (StopLock Strongbox) to read more about how these anti-theft solutions can help keep your sat nav's safe

Posted by World Best Articles.com :: 8:43 AM :: ---------------oOo---------------