I also have the 'leave your motor running whilst popping into the shops' brigade in my village.
Plenty of daft people around. Just don't see ANY benefit to this behaviour. Certainly wouldn't try to stop anyone trying to nick any of these cars. I'd maybe laugh though when their owners came out of the shop

 

Would you really laugh?

Oh well, perhaps I'm just too "compassionate" (can't think of a better word). Instead of just gloating, why not remove the keys, take 'em to the owner and say, "if I've just done this, someone could have nicked your car".

I can see I'm on my own with this sympathetic point of view. It's only Christmas and no-one would use a car to visit relatives...

 

Chiark

You're not on your own at all m8. Some people by nature are quite wary, and others are just a little naive. I've always been pretty security-concious, especially since my last car was broken into. My girlfriend however is a very trusting sort and it has taken 2 break-ins to her car for her to wise up and be more aware of these things.

I have sympathy for the woman who lost her scoob - wouldn't like it to happen to me and I wouldn't wish it on anyone else either - not a nice xmas present is it? I know that some people feel they are pretty safe in populated areas such as a carpark and this may be why she just didn't think about what she was doing. Fortunately she wasn't hurt much. I don't think that someone deserves to lose their car just because they lack a bit of common sense, maybe our collective anger should be more focussed on the scumbag who stole the car rather than the victim?

However I don't hold much confidence that, if I was getting carjacked, a fellow member of the public would come to my aid. More likely there'd be a small crowd gather by to watch without anyone actually helping - a sad sign of the times unfortunately.

Whip

 

Tony originally wrote:
Police are looking for a white male, in his early 20s shaved mousy hair, a round pale face, wearing dark clothing.

I think it has come to something when David Beckham nicks your car

 

chiark,

Yep I would, and I'd tell them they asked for it also.
Its like going out and leaving your front door wide open, with a big sign up saying. "I've gone out but here's my open house for you to plunder".


[Edited by juan - 12/21/2001 12:35:05 PM]

 

LOL Maxwell

Whip

 

Dont take the keys out of a running car.....
If you spotted someone with their head in your car, would you believe them when they said "I was just taking the keys out to give them back to you"....Yeah...right

I've NEVER left my keys in my car but we'd be in Glasgow kiss territory if I found someone in mine !!!

 

Chiark,Didn't you read my post then mate????

Matt

 

Regarding leaving cars running out side shops & such, I thought it was illegal to leave an unattended vehicle with it's motor running on the road? Anyone reported their car nicked after doing this (silly) thing & been done for it?

All the best,

Deano

 

I must be a bit odd then, i run the car on the drive to warm it up, leave the keys in at a garage and sometimes if i've left the keys in it on my drive and its really cold out i'll not bother fetching them in that evening. (saves having to find them in the morning!)

Tiggs

 

"I'd stand in front of it thus preventing theft".

That was tongue in cheek, right?

Tiggs, yes you are.

 

 

...well that's women for you.

(I think I'll get my jacket)

 

If you do leave the keys in the car and it gets nicked - how are the insurance company going to know unless you admit it?
Probably fraud, but I'd risk it if it happened to me.

 

Ok so this woman was a little bit complacent but I think we're being a bit hard on her. It's not like she'd left the car, she was putting the shopping in the boot. This theif was obviously quite cocky, even if she'd kept the keys with her he may have attacked her to get them.

 

Actually, there have been cases where cars have been nicked 'cos the key was left in and insurance companies have paid out. All depends on whether the insured can prove that this was a one-off aberration and completely out of character.

Still makes it stupid though - and I really can't believe the one about the woman leaving the kids and the keys in the car.

 

Came home 30 mins ago to find wife had left the House Key in the front door to which her Mini Cooper (sitting on the drive ) keys are attached

This is not the first time [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] but I can't win the "beware" argument

 

I woke up one morning, got ready for work, couldnt find the keys anywhere, so grabbed the spare set, open the door, and there they are!! hanging in the door, with the car keys attached and everything!! all night.

Whoops.

Did get a car nicked once due to sheer stupidity, I was surfing in Durban, and my mate and I buried the keys below our bag, and tried to keep an eye on them, but sure enough, got back, bag still there but no keys, and no car never saw that coming

Walked into the cop shop bare foot, in baggies, with surfboards under our arms, "er, cars been stolen"

I think I should marry this woman...

 

FJ,When you make a claim they often ask for both sets of keys and if you can only supply one then your claim *may* be on shakey ground.....

Matt

 

Nah - I've had 2 bikes nicked - (never a car touch wood) and they haven't asked for the keys. You could just give em the spare and say you only got 1 key with the car if asked.

 

I was in a petrol station in manchester longside!!with my freind with his Evo4 and me with my scooby. Both of us was filling up, i finished first and went to pay (keys in hand). my freind then walks in to the shop to pay aswell. We started to have a quick chit chat when in the corner of his eye he sees someone walk over to his car! "$hit i left the keys in the car"he shouted as he shot straght out of the shop just in time to hear the car start and drive off!! I ran out after him and got in to my car to see if i could follow him but by the time i got out of the petrol station and on to the round about the car was gone!! phoned the police but not much they could do!! !! A few weeks after they found the car in leeds but it took him 4 mouths b4 he could get it back!! car was in a bad state and all electionic mods was ll taken out!!
HE found out the hard way in what happens when you dont take car of a high performance car in big citys!!(hes from Exeter and did it all the time there!!)