Nasty, opportunist thieves

[Hilary B]

Sorry to read this SueA, but I know from my job that there is nowhere safe from thieving hands. These people have no morals so even a hospital is fair game to them and all we can do is be aware that they're out there and try and protect ourselves as much as we can by not leaving things visible in our vehicles, that includes the 'empty' sat nav station, as they will automatically look in glove compartment or door pockets. I've found that it's not only that items are taken, but it's the violation of their own space that leaves people upset and questioning their faith in fellow humans. Thankfully the majority of us are honest, but if only we could get hold of the thieving barstewards they'd get what for.

I am sure that the only reason we haven't had thefts from our car while it is parked in odd places is that we nearly always have 2 noisy dogs with us. Best deterrent in the world! (potential thieves never seem to want to find out whether this pair would merely LICK them to death, and I'm not sure either.......)

[MaureenHall]

Yes, apparently you can open a car door using a mobile phone. If the keys are lost or not available and a spare set is at home or with a friend, phone them while standing near the car and ask them to press the button - hey presto the car's unlocked! Tried this when I was working, to prove whether or not it worked and it did. Only problem then is if you haven't got the keys with you, how do you drive away??????

[Hilary B]

If the 'signal' can be transmitted over a mobile phone, then surely it can also be 'created' by a computer...........
I wonder if anyone has done it yet....

[SueA]

Thanks for your kind thoughts, it's restored my belief that there are some good people out there, although some of your stories show it can be as bad everywhere these days. O.H. didn't even report it to the police as his company said they weren't going to claim. I said he should so that the crime figures will be more accurate but then I remembered that most of the time the police don't even count theft from cars as 'crime' but just give you a number to claim with on your insurance! I thought there may be CCTV on the car park but it's only a temporary one & even if they had any it would only show the usual tracksuited 'hoody'. It happened in M.P Hazel Blears's constituency & even she had her computer stolen from her office there & a few weeks later her sat-nav & phone taken from her car outside her office so nobody's safe!

[Hilary B]

I would write to Ms Blears. If she has suffered similar problems she may find it embarrassing to NOT take it seriosuly, especially if you inform her that you will also be writing to the papers.......