Car owners 'serving criminals valuables on a plate'

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Car owners 'serving criminals valuables on a plate'

Fri 13th Oct 2006

Britain's motorists are helping thieves rob them of over £3 billion, new research by Post Office Car Insurance shows.

A total of £3.3 billion in valuables left in cars is being taken each year by criminals from around 25 million car owners across the UK.

Among valuables that are proving popular with thieves are CDs, clothing, stereos and tool kits. The average car owner is leaving £134 worth of valuables in their car and 18 per cent of those surveyed said the goods left in their cars were worth more than £200.

Head of communications at Post Office Car Insurance Clare Oldstein stated: "Our advice to motorists is to only leave valuable items in the car if it's absolutely necessary, and if they do, to make sure the items are hidden in the boot or at least out of sight of potential thieves.

"Drivers should also check that they are adequately insured for any valuable items left in the car in case the worst does happen."

Of those questioned, 12 per cent told Post Office Car Insurance that they either rarely or never hide or disguise the valuables in their cars.

Post Office Car Insurance offers customers 50 per cent cashback when they set up a policy and offers a choice of cover and optional breakdown cover.

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