A series of car raids in Groningen has shocked car owners on edge. The police have noted that ‘complete dashboards’ have been stolen during burglaries, particularly in BMWs, in recent weeks.
Invariably a hole was made in the door first. It is yet another example of the cat-and-mouse game that thieves and car manufacturers constantly play. Is the burglar-proof car an illusion? Car owners in Haren and the municipality of Westerkwartier were duped from January 19. The counter stood at sixteen robberies on Thursday, with an average of ten thousand euros worth of looted goods and damage.
Professional specialist tools
During these burglaries, holes were made in the car door. That hole makes it possible to lower the window open. Professional, specialist tools are used during the actions, the police conclude. “At first glance there is little visible damage.” Inside, however, the devastation is shocking and valuable equipment appears to be missing.
It appears that there is ‘mobile banditry’. There are international gangs moving around, who often strike near highways and escape easily.
The police ask the public to remain alert. Van Houten: “Check any camera images and share them with us. Even if you normally wouldn’t be surprised by some noise outside, you should do so now.” The advice is to park the car without loose valuables on board in the light, where there are more people, and if possible with camera surveillance.
Headlights Porsches popular with cannabis growers
Price comparator Independer calculated from data from the police and CBS that more than 35,000 burglaries occurred last year up to November. Car insurance expert Menno Dijcks: “Cars are becoming increasingly secure, but thieves are looking for opportunities. There is a market. Thieves try to read electronic keys remotely, manufacturers ensure that they only emit a signal for a few minutes if they are not moving. So keep your electronic keys at a distance or in a case! Don’t leave a laptop in the car, it can still be ‘seen’ if it emits a signal.”
Dijcks: “Catalytic converters are stolen, from some Porsches sometimes even headlights for cannabis growers. Thieves are becoming more and more wisecracking. They seize the opportunity and the chance of being caught is low.” It is important to make it more difficult for thieves and to slow down the cracking. “Consider mechanical solutions, such as a steering lock or covers over equipment.” To put it in the light or not? “The light can sometimes make it easier for the thief, in the sense that he can do his work without being clearly visible.”
In addition to burglary, theft of the entire car is a problem. Dijcks: “An immobilizer is one of the defenses against theft. A car can be traced via a tracking system.” Insurers recommend this and may make it a condition for the level of insurance. “So make sure that your certificates remain valid.”
‘Car could end up as a total loss’
In any case, the consequences for car owners are major, says advisor André Bouwman of the National Vehicle Crime Information Center (LIV) in Veendam: “There are thieves who do it ‘neatly’, but also who cut through everything. Then a car can end up as a total loss.”
The fight against car burglaries continues unabated. In Utrecht, for example, a trial is being conducted with burglary sensors in cars of owners who have been targets before. A sensor sends a message to the owner’s phone if there is trouble.