The Locksmith Journal Jan/Feb 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 74

Stopping vehicle crime in its tracks Last year saw a staggering 56 percent increase in car theft rates in England and Wales¹. Whilst this is devastating for vehicle owners, it also means that automotive locksmiths have been busier than ever. With the onset of the ‘dark nights’ period, thefts from commercial vehicles are set to rise further when the clocks go back from October – March. The cover of darkness provides ample opportunity for vehicle crimes to occur, and although there are no formal figures on commercial vehicle crime from the Office for National Statistics, anecdotally we know that these thefts also spike during this time of year. Automotive locksmiths like Trade Vehicle Locks are specialists in their field and they know how to utilise, adapt and develop right products on the market to ensure maximum protection for commercial and private vehicles. From on-board diagnostic (OBD) port protectors to anti-scan wallets, there are a number of solutions available to create strong sales opportunities for locksmiths who work in this field. Vehicle theft rates in England and Wales Vehicle theft rates in England and Wales are reaching epidemic proporations 2016 Here, Kevin Menzies, National Sales Manager, UK & Ireland for Mul-T-Lock and Tony Powell, Managing Director of Trade Vehicle Locks, explains why commercial vehicle crime is on the rise and how locksmiths can utilise specialist products on the market to help tackle the issue. 2017 ¹Office of National Statistics, 2017 T: 01902 364200 E: [email protected] W: www.mul-t-lock.co.uk