Car thefts are on the rise. Some 64,087 vehicles were stolen in 2023, a 5% increase on the previous year. Cars are becoming ever more sophisticated, but some features designed for our convenience are making them vulnerable to sophisticated crooks, making car security more important than ever before.
After buying one of the best cars for towing a caravan, you’re going to want to do everything you can to keep it protected, just as you would want appropriate caravan security methods to keep your tourer safe.
So how do we keep our cars safe from theft, both at home and while on tour? Here, I’ll be looking at why thefts are increasing and the various options out there to keep our vehicles safe.
How to protect a car from theft:
Why are car thefts increasing?
Modern vehicles are full of technology that is designed to make our lives easier. The trouble is, these same features might make life easy for the thieves, too.
Keyless entry systems are the most obvious example. These allow you to open and start your car without having to take the key from your pocket. The vehicle recognises the signal from the key and unlocks the door, just as it would if you pressed the unlock button to activate remote central locking.

Thieves use relay amplifiers to pick up the signal transmitted by your key. They can then replicate the signal, fooling the car into thinking the real key is near.
Some cars are more vulnerable to this kind of signal-boosting than others, and it’s something the industry has been working to resolve in recent years. Arguably, a shortage of police resources might contribute to lower conviction rates, which tips the risk-reward ratio in favour of crooks.
Preventing keyless thefts
The good news is, you don’t need to rely on a car’s in-built security. There are also a few simple steps that owners can take for themselves, which can help to make keyless car theft a less likely occurrence.
First, keep your keys well away from your car. Don’t leave them hanging a few yards from where your vehicle is parked, because this will make it easier for the criminals to detect and amplify the signal.
You could keep them somewhere at the back of your house, rather than hanging by the front door, for example.
Another simple move is to buy yourself a Faraday pouch or box, which will only cost you a few pounds. Put the key inside and the metallic lining should partially or completely block the signal.
The point is, if the thieves can’t detect the transmission from your key, there’s nothing for them to amplify. A simple way to make their nefarious task much harder.
Old-school security
Vehicles might have become ever more complicated in design, but some of the most effective security is the simplest.
High-tech thieves can be defeated by old-school security devices. Having the best steering wheel lock can help prevent a car being driven, even if a thief is able to get inside. A gearstick lock does a similar job.

Such devices only take a few moments to fit, and it’s well worth taking one with you when you are on tour. Fit a steering wheel lock whenever you park and leave your car unattended.
The best caravan wheel lock offers similar protection for a tourer. Agreed, fitting and removing these devices adds a little time to your trip, but better that than losing your car, van – or even both.

Tracking devices
What if, despite your best efforts, your tow car is stolen? A tracking device will improve the chances of recovering your pride and joy.
The belt and braces approach is to fit a tracker to both car and caravan, so if either is taken, you will be one step ahead of the thieves. Tracking device prices and features vary hugely. At the most basic level, you could hide an Apple AirTag, Galaxy SmartTag, or similar.
These small devices are around the size of a coin, cost about £30, and connect to nearby phones to give their location.
While better than nothing, this type of tracker doesn’t connect to a control centre, which will liaise with the police, and won’t have the ability to remotely immobilise your car so it can’t be driven any further. They’re also reasonably easy for a thief to find and dispose of.
The next level of sophistication is a dedicated tracking device, which can be installed by anyone with basic DIY skills, but at a lower cost than a professionally installed tracker.
At the top of the tree, in terms of price and performance, are tracking devices that require a professional to fit, include multiple forms of tracking (such as VHF, as well as satellite and mobile phone tech), and are resistant to jamming technology.
Choosing the best devices
Look for devices that are approved by Thatcham, the research arm of the motor insurance industry.
Check for Sold Secure approval, too. Any product highly rated by both organisations should perform well.
Fitting approved security devices doesn’t just improve your chances of outwitting car criminals – it can also reduce the cost of your insurance premium.
The verdict on car security
There’s no such thing as too much car security. Use a combination of physical devices, high-tech trackers and sensible anti-theft precautions to cut your chances of adding to those vehicle-theft statistics.
After making sure you’ve protected your car from thieves, it will be time to think about towing – check out our caravan towing tips to ensure you stay safe on the road.
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