Between 2005 and 2006, there were 1.7 million vehicle thefts in the UK, according to worrying Government Home Office statistics. With increasing interest rates putting a squeeze on people’s wallets, there is nothing worse than going back to collect your vehicle, and finding that your pride and joy has been stolen.
The autumn months of September, October and November are the most likely period for vehicles to go missing, as the days get shorter. Motorpoint, the UK’s largest car supermarket, has therefore introduced its new Pinpoint vehicle immobilisation and location-tracking unit to provide a higher level of security to its customers.
The device can be installed away from view in any car or commercial vehicle prior to collection, and the owner can locate their vehicle from their mobile phone by sending a text message, which will give its longitude and latitude coordinates to within 10 metres using GPS. The user can then enter the details into any free mapping service on the Internet to obtain a visual illustration of the location.
In addition, the vehicle can be immobilised by text message if there is any suspected unauthorised activity.
With mounting campaigns warning consumers to do more to protect their vehicle and property, particularly as satellite navigation thefts are on the increase, this system maybe a pricey at £586, but has the added benefit of being able to transfer the hardware when the vehicle is sold.
There was me expecting a crowbar as the new weapon!
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet