|  Everyday
countless number of cars are stolen or broken into. With the number of
cars on Indian roads multiplying rapidly and with an increasing number
of internal accessories being fitted, it is no surprise that car security
is a bigger issue than ever before.
Theft is an intentional human act that requires motivation on the part
of the criminal, the means to accomplish, an opportunity to act, and the
assurance of escape, or to remain undetected. To counter the act of theft,
these variables must be controlled, eliminated, or reversed. It is therefore
essential to understand what drives the thief to crime:
1. Amateur:
The traditional car thief is motivated by the prospect of a ride home,
a joyride, or perhaps to use the car during the commission of a crime.
When the casual thief needs a car, and the motivation and opportunity
is there, he will steal any car, new, old or imported. To him, your very
valuable car will be no different from a stock 1985 Premier Padmini. He
has no discipline or values, he may be a car-jacker, an armed robber,
and sometimes, a killer. To him a car is a car. He could totally destroy
the car he steals, likely in resentment.
To assure the safety of you and your family, you simply do not draw his
attention by presenting him with the opportunity he is seeking.
2.
Professional:
The professional thief is motivated by financial gain. His cars are usually
stolen on order, and may be sold whole, or parted-out. When and why this
thief steals is defined by the economics of the market that he serves,
and the degree of opportunity that you provide him with.
3. Stolen for components:
Premium, imported and antique cars can be stolen for components. For them
to have a value, there must be a market. However, components of these
cars are unique, very identifiable and rare to find.
4. Stolen for resale:
Stolen cars are often a matter of supply, demand, and economics. In India,
cars of all shapes, sizes and makes are stolen for resale. The stolen
vehicles are usually sold in distant states or in mofussil areas with
a new identity and papers.
Imported and antique cars are rarer and easily noticed. The owner would
pressure the police, a reward would be offered, publicity would be sought.
There would be a market for the parts, but only a few specialised shops
will trade and work on such cars. The thief would be spotted immediately
if he attempted to drive, or sell that beautiful car. Like a work of art,
it has a value, but only under the right circumstances.
A car's perimeter security (as built-in by the car manufacturer) should
be good enough to withstand a thief's attack for a minimum of two minutes.
The immobilisation system should then prevent the thief from driving away
for a further period of five minutes. |
October 2001