Statistic Motor vehicle theft is a serious problem in many parts of the world.

In the United States, the annual loss from car theft is over $4 billion. The Automotive Information Council reports that over one million motor vehicles are stolen in the U.S. each year. Thats one motor vehicle theft every 31 seconds. There are so many news about stolen cars this week.Statistic from Federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin which was published on Monday said that an average of 150 cars new and old are stolen daily.It also shows that the car theft syndicates in Malaysia have had a doubling of their business over the decade ending 2010. The car theft syndicates now used an electronic devices (diagnostic tool) to steal cars.The electronic diagnostic tool is a double-edged sword, as it can be used for either good or bad purposes.But now, it is being used by syndicates to steal cars.

Step to prevent Stay away from parking lot and garage exits Thieves are more likely to try to steal cars close to the parking lot or garage exits, because they will have a faster getaway. Try to park in the middle of a row of cars in a heavily trafficked area of the lot or garage. Making sure your car blends in is a good strategy to avoid car theft.

Pay for the monitored lot Monitored parking lots that are watched by security guards cost a few extra dollars, but thieves will pass them by in favor of less secure vehicles in unmonitored areas. Avoid auto theft by parking in a lot that has security guards and make sure one will be in attendance the whole time your car is parked there

Lock all of your doors Many car thefts happen at home because drivers feel safe parking in their own driveways and leave their car unlocked. Always lock all the doors of your vehicle, even outside your house.

Invest in an alarm system Have an alarm system professionally installed in your car that will notify you immediately if your car has been tampered with. Loud alarms will quickly deter car theft, and some systems can be programmed to automatically summon police. Alarm system professionals can also recommend systems to deactivate your car's ignition system, requiring a key or activator to start the vehicle.

Keep spare keys somewhere else Never keep spare keys in the wheel well or under your car. These key holders are convenient, but they make it easy for your car to be stolen inconspicuously. Instead, choose a designated place to keep a spare set of keys and make it known only to family members that drive the car. Don't put all your valuables in the trunk.Most trunks are very easily accesible.

Never leave valuables like laptop computers, briefcases, purses, wallets or cell phones in plain sight. These add incentive for a thief to steal your car, so lock them in the trunk or take them with you. If your stereo has a removable face plate, take it with you.

Take your information with you Instead of storing your title, insurance information and registration in your glove box, keep them on your person. A car thief checking out your car will be more likely to try to steal it if there are documents in the vehicle that can also let them steal your identity.

Warnings

Never try to stop car thieves in the act. They could be armed, and trying to stop them yourself could result in severe injury. Call the police immediately and give them a full description of the thieves.

Below are some steps that you can do to prevent your car from being stolen.

- Report the theft to police as soon as you find out. The longer a thief has with the car, the longer the thief has to find, remove and disable any OEM or aftermarket tracking system. - Make sure to etch your Plate number in your window. If you have nice aftermarket wheels, stereo equipment, or any other parts you worry about, consider etching your Plate number somewhere inconspicuous (like on the backside or inside lip) of these too. It can make it easier to recover your vehicle and parts. You can ask the dealership for a place that does this. - Consider going to a watchdog website. - Install extra locking devices everytime you leave your car. - Protect your new cars with good anti-theft equipment. It can be as simple as an immobilizer with non-colour coded wiring.*** Some franchise holder will tells you that fitting an aftermarket anti-theft device will void the manufacturers warranty. But one of our friend who is an insurance advisor says that the customer has the right to protect his property. - Consider a 3rd party GPS or GPS/Cellular based tracking system. Most of these have a monthly fee, and will allow to see the location of the vehicle through the companies tracking site or other means. This allows you or them to communicate with the police the location of the stolen vehicle, and some allow you to see the location from your computer as well. This is similar to many fleet-monitoring systems.

Car and motorcycle theft are categorised under property crimes. Based on statistics from the police, car thefts have been on the increase since the year 2000. Last year alone, 8,544 cars were reported stolen. However, almost half of these cases 3,569 or 41.8% were solved. Meanwhile, there were 47,137 reported cases of motorcycle theft last year but the police solved 45.8% of these. A person who steals a motor vehicle can be charged under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code, which states that those who commit theft of a motor vehicle or any of its component will be punished with imprisonment from one to seven years or become liable to a fine or both.

No matter where you park your vehicle, theres always a risk of it getting stolen these days. Vehicles have been stolen from parking lots in hotels, shopping complexes or public carparks. In fact vehicles parked in front of homes have also disappeared! All we can do is take preventive measures to deter the thieves in their attempt at breaking into our vehicles. Below are some tips that may be of use: Car Theft Prevention

Lock your car doors as soon as you get into your car. Before leaving your vehicle, put your belongings out of sight, including packages, boxes and sealed things. Make sure all the doors are locked and the keys are with you when you leave your car. Use additional locks such as steering, gear, and clutch locks. Install a reliable car alarm system. Do not park at secluded spots. If possible, park at places where you can see your car. Park at well-lit areas at night. Keep an eye on your car especially when at the mechanic to avoid your keys being duplicated by irresponsible persons. If possible, avoid using jockey services (to avoid handing your keys over to a stranger). Sandblast all static glasses of your car with its registration number. This makes it easier for the police to trace your car if it is stolen and at the same time, the thief will find it hard to escape during a roadblock.

Motorcycle/ Scooter Theft Prevention

Park your motorcycle at designated spots. Make sure you lock your motorcycle before you leave. Do not leave your motorcycle at secluded or unguarded spots. Park at well-lit areas at night. Use a chain and extra locks on the rim/stand or handle of your motorcycle. It is also good to mark important bike components with the registration number.

Also when buying second-hand vehicles, it is good to take these precautionary steps to avoid purchasing stolen goods:

Make sure the vehicle you are buying comes with original and complete documents. If in doubt about the vehicle you are buying, make a quick check with either the police or Road Transport Department for assurance. Do not be enticed or lured by the (cheap) price because most stolen vehicles are sold at a lower rate than the market price.

All of them were using Honda-Wave model as a popular brand which thiefs are focusing their efforts on that model. So, how can we protect myself if UUM security guards cannot help us anymore besides recording the crime and giving bullshit advice!. I find tips that can help us to protect our motorcycle from theft. (if you have any great ideas, let's share with us) 1. Secure steering lock; make sure you use it at all times and ensure the keys are in your possession. 2. Use multiple locks; you should also use a large U-lock to secure your forks and your disc brakes, better if you can lock with your friends together. 3. Don't tempt anyone to steal your motorcycle; against theft by covering it with a motorcycle cover. 4. Trying to lock your motorcycle onto something immovable and solid such as strong poles