KERBING CRIMINALS
Drivers blown away by former car thief’s easy hack to stop car thieves in their tracks – and it doesn’t cost a thing
A SIMPLE parking hack can quickly deter any would-be criminals from targeting your motor - and it doesn't cost a thing.
Sharply turning your wheels towards the kerb when parallel parked on a street is one of the best ways to keep burglars at bay, according to a former car thief.
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Car thefts are rising across the nation, with over 108,000 vehicles hit from March 2021 to March 2022 in England and Wales.
The spike has led former motor-thief Michael Fraser to offer his insider knowledge to help Brits keep their cars secure.
Michael, who is now a home security expert, said simply turning your wheels towards the kerb will instantly stop criminals from targeting your car.
He told BBC News: "If you look out on the street, ninety-nine percent of us parallel park with the wheels dead straight.
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“One percent will turn the wheels into the kerb or towards another car. You’ll never find that car will be stolen."
This simple trick allegedly throws a would-be crook off as they fear they would struggle to make off with your car.
Wasting precious moments to turn the wheels back and reverse in-and-out while turning the wheels back towards the road could be the difference between getting away or getting caught.
The technique will also activate your car's automatic wheel lock if you turn the wheels after your remove the key from the ignition.
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While not fool-proof, it will certainly have a better chance of working if you are parked in a close line of cars rather than on an empty street.
The former burglar said that making efforts to secure your home and motor will stop criminals from earmarking your property because “burglars are very lazy people".
He added: "Burglary will never change because it's so easy and you're more likely to get away with burglary more than anything else because it's not looked at seriously.
"If you do anything to secure your property, he’ll move next door. Ninety-nine percent of us just do nothing. "
The BBC presenter, Joanna Gosling, was surprised at how easy yet effective the car wheel method was, and said it was “a simple thing to change”.
Parking in a garage or a well-lit residential area is also advised to deter potential motor thefts.
Recent years has seen a significant spike in car thefts, with data showing Ford and Vauxhall vehicles the most at risk of being stolen, according to data from Tesco Bank.
The two make up more than 30 percent of motor theft claims, reports the .
And since 2018, the top five areas in the UK most prone to car thefts, totalled and ranked by volume of claims each year, include North Coventry, Harrow, East Birmingham, Brent and Greater London.
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