2012 saw a dramatic increase in the theft of classic Mini cars from across the UK, with many of the owners clubs and associated web forums reporting a noticeable increase in numbers of vehicles stolen. One leading classic car magazine reporting on the concerns, described the issue as having ‘gone ballistic’2013 sadly seems to be seeing a continuation of this worrying trend, according to research conducted by leading classic and specialist vehicle tracking company, Skytag GPS. Guy Topsom, Managing Director of Skytag explained – ‘So far in 2013 we are aware of almost 30 incidents of classic mini thefts in the UK, a rate averaging 2 vehicles per week, quite astonishing considering we believe that our sources probably only capture 25 – 30% of the total number of incidents. It does, however, confirm a marked increase in the trend for classic Mini thefts, with most of the vehicles stolen being broken up to fuel a buoyant, and for the criminals, profitable, second-hand spares market’
Research and understanding the issues are a vital first step according to Guy. ‘We’ve seen similar patterns with other makes of vehicle in the past’, he explained. ‘Initially incidents seem random or unfortunate and as such may not be widely reported. This can mean that many owners remain blissfully unaware of the threat to their cherished vehicles, or possibly just believe they are unlikely to become victims themselves. As knowledge of the increasing number of thefts becomes well-known, owners are more likely to take steps to protect themselves, ensuring their vehicles are more securely stored or parked, increasing security measures and also sharing information regarding incidents.
Social media has a part to play too; we provide regular updates of thefts from numerous sources on our Twitter feed (@SkytagGPS), an increasingly powerful tool in the fight against crime. To summarise, Guy said, ‘It’s almost impossible to protect a vehicle 100% against theft, although naturally we recommend owners take every step they can. Buying a tracker is of course the best way to ensure the safe return of your vehicle, should the worst happen. We have a number of solutions available, tailored to suit different owners’ requirements. We’re always happy to discuss these with potential customers and encourage them to call and discuss what we can do for them - at the end of the day it’s all about peace of mind’
If you would like to see Skytag in action, look out for ‘The Italian Job’ Mini rally 2013 and also the Help 4 Heroes European Rally 2013. Skytag are proud to support both events and will be providing live tracking of all the vehicles involved.
http://www.skytag-gps.co.uk
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