Car jacking

Car-jacking has become a high-profile crime over recent years, mainly because media attention has made people aware of it.

You can help prevent yourself being a victim of car-jacking:

• Keep your doors locked in built-up areas and keep the windows wound up, especially at traffic lights
• Be aware of what people are doing around you
• Use the middle lane, if there is one, when waiting at junctions or lights, so that your car is harder to get to from the pavement
• Don't stop to help someone who has broken down (if you want to help, pull over at the next garage or police station and call for help)
• If someone tries to pull you over for no reason, drive to the next garage or police station and report them
• Scam: Car-jackers have been known to ‘accidentally' bump into your car, aiming to get you out of the car so that they can steal it. If this happens, you may choose not to get out of the car, especially if you don't think the accident is genuine. Instead, you could wind down the window a bit to talk to them