CAR-JACKING

CAR-JACKING | The violent form of car theft

Would you know what to do if you were sitting at a road junction and a car thief hammered on the window shouting at you to get out? This is car-jacking.

Inside Out investigates.

Inside Out's Morland Sanders took the opportunity to take some tips from former "special forces" driving experts in evasive driving techniques.

He was also made aware of just how violent this form of car theft really is.

Not surprisingly, the criminal fraternity have broadened their tools of the trade and car-jacking is the name of the game for a quick buck - often as a first step to another crime.

And while they've a taste for cars at the top end of the market - the reality is that almost any kind of vehicle will do.

Just for kicks?

They will go for your car either just for fun or to feed the multi-million pound racket that could see your car destined for Eastern Europe or Africa - they don't care.

Car-jacking is an opportunist crime, usually being committed by a thief searching for easy pickings.

Young people can often see it as a rite of passage - a status symbol or just a thrill for joy-riding.

With the prevalence of sophisticated car alarms and anti-theft devices, the car thief has had to think of different ways to get his prize - car jacking is a relatively soft target.

Cars, especially luxury ones, provide quick cash for drug users and other criminals, so the street corner or traffic lights can very much be seen as their patch.

Victim

Judith St Claire: escaped with minor injuries

Judith St Claire knows only too well how far car-jackers are prepared to push their luck.

She had her Mercedes keys taken from her as she got into her car - but she was determined not to let her vehicle go without a fight.

Her persistence paid off - her attackers fled without her car - but there are dozens of others who have similar stories to tell.

Car salesman Paul Burnyeat had the ignominy of being booted out of a car after going on a test drive - the tales are endless.

The 'bump' method

In Britain we are under a legal obligation to report any accident that involves a car. So car thieves have tried the "bump" car jack.

This ploy is where the car thief will drive gently into the back of your car, sometimes when on the move, which obliges you to pull over to "exchange details". This is when the thief will attack.

And while it's just a "lump of metal" that can be replaced, there are some commonsense actions to take to reduce the risk of attack and loss of your car.

Specific law

Edmund King, Executive Director of the RAC Foundation, says, "With car-jacking on the increase throughout the country, the violent thugs who carry out this crime should be given harsher penal sentences.

Blunkett: taking a strong stance against this crime

"Establishing car-jacking as a specific criminal offence would make this easier, and enable the police to obtain accurate records of the number of attacks that are taking place nationally.

"The Home Secretary has suggested that thieves who target innocent motorists in car-jacking attacks will be sent down for a very long time.

"We hope that the government takes the suggestion of making car-jacking a specific offence seriously."

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett says, "We have got to send a very clear message and the message is - get involved in this and you will go down for a very long time."

Avoid being a victim

The RAC Foundation has issued some general advice to motorists to avoid car-jacking attacks:

• Ensure that valuables are not left on the passenger seat or dashboard when travelling. Thieves will be more tempted to target the vehicle if goods are visible

• Keep your doors locked when driving in urban areas

• Make sure that you know the route you are using to travel to your destination. Car-jacking gangs may be more likely to target motorists who look unsure of where they are going or who are looking at maps at traffic lights

• Have your keys ready when you approach your car

• Always ensure that you take your car keys out of the vehicle if you are going into shops or a petrol station even if there is someone left in the car. Similarly, keep windows closed if possible

• Always try to leave a gap between your vehicle and the car in front when parked at traffic lights. If you are attacked by a car jacking gang, being too close to the vehicle in front will prevent you from escaping

• If your car is nudged by another vehicle and you are suspicious of the intention of the other driver, do not stop, try to take the car details down and report the incident to the police. Some car-jacking gangs use the tactic of nudging a vehicle and then attacking the owner when they stop

• If your vehicle is under attack, dial 999 if you have a mobile phone and sound your horn to draw attention to your car