Preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling
A piece on Slashdot asks a question that seems pertinent to this site. What measures can be taken to prevent 'smash and grab' - from your car, when your valuable stuff is inside the car.
Aside from not keeping valuables in the car, obviously ;)
Best Answer
I would go a little further. Don't just remove all valuables and all items that are not part of the car.
Remove all signs that something valuable might be in the car.
In summer 2010 some friends and I did a roadtrip from Budapest to the Romanian Black Sea coast. One morning at about 7am somebody smashed the window of the car as it was parked outside our hostel in Bucharest.
Nothing was taken. The glovebox was open. They broke into our car because they saw the mounting bracket for the GPS or the mark from where it normally sat (I can't remember which) and thought it might be stashed in the glovebox. So don't just remove your GPS, also remove the mounting bracket, and clean the windshield / dashboard so it doesn't even look like you might have one inside.
Pictures about "Preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling"
Quick Answer about "Preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling"
How do you protect against smash and grab?
In terms of anti-smash and grab window film treatments, 3M\u2122 Safety & Security Window Film is the best measure next to DefenseLite\u2122. Not only does it effectively prevent smash and grab attempts, but it mitigates hazards from shattered glass while holding windows and doors in place.How do you keep things safe in a car?
You can move valuable items to the trunk, put them in the glove box, or tuck things under a seat to keep them hidden. If you have larger items, such as shopping bags, a suitcase, or a backpack, make sure they're in the trunk or at least hidden under a blanket or towel.What is the purpose of smash and grab?
Smash and grab film is tinted so no one can see into the car and it also prevents the windows from breaking. When an object, such as a rock, is thrown at your vehicle window, smash and grab film clings onto the pieces of glass while remaining intact so the barrier is still there.Is it safe to leave valuables in trunk?
Carry Valuables in High-Theft AreasThe trunk of your car is not always a safe place to store your valuables. Do some research on this topic before you travel so that you don't return to an empty trunk at the worst possible moment. If you cannot leave valuables in your trunk, carry them with you as you explore.European Travel Skills: Avoiding Theft
More answers regarding preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling
Answer 2
26 months on ... :-)
THe following is all via a link to one version of the supplied photo. There will be other related sites that use this image.
Related and useful - based on supplied photo:
The picture is used in various places on web.
A cropped version with annotations and without the "GP" of your original appears on
this South African site New methods of vehicle crime emerging in Gauteng.
This specifically relates to smash & grab WHILE travelling!!!.
Which links to:
Road safety and preventing smash & grab - relevant and good.
Window film ad useful for safety and slowing down attackers.
Vehicle tracking systems - product overview
Products ad
Useful related FAQ
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Laura James, Laura James, Anna Shvets, Anna Shvets