| Leaving handbags on display in the car is costing British | | | | including the sunroof. Leaving the keys in the ignition |
| women dear, new research from Diamond has | | | | was also strongly discouraged. |
| indicated. | | | | Other advice from the womens car insurance |
| According to the specialist car insurer, more than | | | | specialists included removing handbags from the car |
| 400,000 women have found their cars broken into by | | | | whenever possible and not simply stowing it away |
| thieves targeting their handbags in the past 12 months, | | | | under the seat. It pointed out that thieves will be sure |
| at an estimated cost of 178 million pounds a year. The | | | | to search the car thoroughly if they do break in. |
| group warned that crooks throughout the country are | | | | Meanwhile, in circumstances where handbags cannot |
| taking advantage of easy pickings as women fail to | | | | be taken out of the car, it urged women to make sure |
| keep their handbags safe. Further figures from the | | | | they stash them in a locked boot so it is out of sight. |
| group showed that the average womans handbag is | | | | "Its shocking to see just how many handbags are |
| worth some 431 pounds and 68 pence, with mobile | | | | stolen each year from cars and that shows exactly |
| phones, make up, sunglasses, diaries, notepads and | | | | why you should never leave your bag on display in |
| purses all pushing the value up. As such, those who | | | | your car. In the run up to the festive season thieves will |
| find themselves victim of a break-in over the coming | | | | be on the look out for easy targets so however |
| months could find that replacing these items - in | | | | stressed out and rushed you are to find that perfect |
| addition to replacing house and car keys - could have | | | | present, you should never leave anything on show in |
| a substantial impact on their ability to cover other costs | | | | your unattended car that could attract a potential thief. |
| such as personal loan and mortgage repayments. | | | | Can you imagine losing your bank cards and mobile |
| In an effort to avoid such a scenario, Diamond urged | | | | phone in the run up to Christmas when you need them |
| women to make sure that no items are left on display | | | | the most?" asked Diamond managing director Sian |
| while their vehicle is unattended, regardless of whether | | | | Lewis. |
| they are valuable or not. The group explained that | | | | For those who are looking for an effective way to |
| many thieves will break in to a vehicle simply to | | | | purchase a new vehicle, taking out a car loan may be |
| investigate whether such items are worth taking, | | | | an effective way to do so, while leftover cash could |
| something which could costs motorists dear in negating | | | | be put towards additional deterrents such as steering |
| a no-claims bonus. | | | | wheel locks and immobilisers to reduce the likelihood of |
| So too, the group urged motorists to make sure they | | | | being targeted by criminals. Such purchases may be |
| are vigilant when it comes to keeping their car locked. | | | | particularly prudent after figures from LV= showed |
| Even if they are only popping into a garage, it advised | | | | that approximately a quarter of motorists have had |
| people to ensure all windows and doors were locked, | | | | their car broken into in recent months. |