The return of darker evenings has brought a seasonal spike in vehicle thefts, with 80% of incidents now occurring between 6pm and 6am.
Following the clock change on Sunday morning, Marshall Motor Group is urging drivers to take extra care through autumn and winter — offering practical, low-cost steps to make cars less appealing to thieves.
“Dark nights provide perfect cover for opportunistic thieves,” says Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group. “Drivers should be especially alert now visibility is lower and streets are quieter.”
Smart Parking Choices
If possible, use a locked garage or gated driveway. On-street parkers should aim for well-lit, overlooked areas close to home — and consider adding a camera or video doorbell for peace of mind.
“Parking where there’s light and foot traffic is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk,” says Welham.
Visible Deterrents Still Work
Security devices such as steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, and pedal locks slow down theft attempts and act as clear visual deterrents. Dash cams that activate on motion can also put thieves off.
“Anything that makes the job longer or noisier will usually make criminals walk away,” explains automotive security expert Geoffrey Fernandez from ACR Automobile.
Build Good Habits
Keep valuables out of sight, double-check locks, and always activate your alarm and immobiliser. Fernandez adds: “Thieves often shine torches into cars. Tinted windows and covered items stop them seeing anything worth taking.”
Defend Against Tech-Savvy Thieves
Keyless car theft remains a growing problem, but a simple Faraday pouch costing under £10 can block the signal and prevent relay attacks.
“Keyless entry is convenient, but it’s opened up new vulnerabilities,” says Welham. “A Faraday pouch or box is a cheap, effective fix.”
For even stronger protection, Fernandez recommends professional-grade trackers: “If you use two trackers, you’ve got a backup if one is found and disabled.”
As the evenings draw in earlier, experts are reminding drivers that a few small changes — from better parking to blocking key signals — can make a big difference in keeping cars safe this winter.
