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Car owners warned of theft risks in hot weather holiday season

Altringham, Cheshire, UK, August 7 -- Car drivers are warned of increased risk of car theft, as hot weather sweeps Britain during one of the UK's busiest holiday periods.

Stolen vehicle tracking company NavTrak has seen a steep rise in car thefts, of nearly 20%, as drivers' behaviour during hot weather presents opportunities for thieves.

"The biggest risk for car owners is when thieves are able to get hold of a car's keys," says NavTrak managing director Giles Harridge. "Well over half of all cars stolen are taken using the drivers' keys, and in hot weather and on holiday British drivers seem to take increased risks, such as leaving engines running or windows open with keys left in the ignition, whilst trying to keep their cars cool. Unfortunately, leaving vehicles unsecured in this manner, whether on a petrol forecourt, outside a shop or on their driveways at home, is an open invitation to car thieves."

NavTrak has seen an increase of over 19% in automatic alerts sent to its control centre since the beginning of August and the hot weather. NavTrak's Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) system requires the driver of any vehicle fitted with its stolen vehicle tracking system, to have a wallet-sized ADR card present when driving. Should the ADR card not be present, an alert is immediately received by NavTrak, which then tracks a stolen vehicle, notifying the police and working with them to quickly recover the vehicle.

"There can be nothing worse than driving off for a day on the coast or on holiday, either in the UK or when taking cars onto the continent, and having a holiday ruined when a car is stolen," continues Giles Harridge. "When in a holiday mood, drivers seem to take more risks. We urge them to carefully monitor their keys at all times. Don't leave them in hotel rooms, beach bags or even on display in bars and restaurants. Clever thieves can very quickly match the keys they've found to a car parked up nearby. Remember too that thieves are as prevalent in continental Europe as in the UK."

NavTrak's system works across Europe as well as in the UK. Stolen vehicles are tracked via GPS (Global Positioning Satellite), and recovered through liaising with European police forces in 23 countries.

"However," says Giles Harridge, "we urge drivers not to let it get to this stage. Prevention is always better than cure! Car owners also need to be alerted to another high risk during holiday periods, which is theft of their cars from outside their homes. As they fly off for two weeks in the sun, burglars regularly target homes where they know owners are away. If they can easily find keys to a car parked outside, they'll take it. Imagine what a thief could do to a car in a fortnight: by the time holidaymakers return to houses burgled, cars missing and alert the police, their car has had its identity changed, been stripped for parts or wrecked by thieves who couldn't care less."

Juliet Jarvis/Clare Schofield, RSM, +44 (0)1908 326500, Juliet@rsm.uk.com, Clare@rsm.uk.com