I've been monitoring this newsgroup for months helping plan a trip for my daughter to
Ireland, Scotland, and England. At one point, someone was posting notes indicating
that one should NEVER leave luggage in a car because break-ins were a problem -- that
even a gym bag and gym clothes would be stolen.

My daughter and friends will be traveling in a hatchback and will be touring as they
travel between cities, meaning that luggage will be visible in the car. Does anyone
know of a way to minimize any possible problem since having their clothes stolen
would certainly be a hassle.

I know they are going to have a great time in these three wonderful countries so
please don't anyone think that I'm slamming the countries. I'm just trying to
anticipate a problem based on what I've read here. Thanks..............Pam

"Pam P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I've been monitoring this newsgroup for months helping plan a trip for my daughter
    > to Ireland, Scotland, and England. At one point, someone was posting notes
    > indicating that one should NEVER leave luggage in a car because break-ins were a
    > problem -- that even a gym bag and gym clothes would be stolen.
    >
    > My daughter and friends will be traveling in a hatchback and will be touring as
    > they travel between cities, meaning that luggage will be visible in the car. Does
    > anyone know of a way to minimize any possible problem since having their clothes
    > stolen would certainly be a hassle.
    >
    > I know they are going to have a great time in these three wonderful countries so
    > please don't anyone think that I'm slamming the countries. I'm just trying to
    > anticipate a problem based on what I've read here. Thanks..............Pam

standard rule - never leave stuff in a car second one - never leave it visible

but its not THAT bad, just take precautions

two points: most car crime in the UK is aimed at, in order (and from memory of the
sign I saw at the Police station last week) car stereo systems cell phones wallets /
handbags etc laptops (for this one area is was 500 stereos down to 50 laptops)

as for a hatchback, why would that be a problem? They always (almost?) have a cover
to the luggage area, not secure, but certainly not visible, either. And don't kid
yourself, if people want it, they'll have it, but 99% of the time, if they can't
see they wont take. Don't worry, but don't let anyone leave phones / wallets etc on
the seats.

We've travelled all over the U.K by car, so far without incident.

- We've always tried to hide anything which would indicate the car was used
by tourists.

- It is within the realm of possibility that professional thieves may have ways of
interpreting some identifying feature or marks on the car and detect that it's
used by tourists. For that reason we always try to empty the car of everything
identifiable and valuable by dropping the luggage off at the B&B (that's all we
use in the U.K.) or hotel as soon as we arrive in the area we're staying.
Additionally, don't try to be clever by putting the laptop or valuables under the
seat, out of sight.

- If you use a pay and park definitely empty the car completely. That's like a
shopping mall for thieves. In that case we roll up the luggage shield in back to
reveal an empty storage area.

- If you have to stop somewhere for a short time, especially if it's around an area
where tourists might park, (rest stop, petrol station, fast food shops, tourist
offices) keep someone with the car if possible. No matter how inconvenient it is,
take any high value items with you if you find yourself in this type area.

Finally, we've found drivers and folks in the U.K. to be very friendly and
accommodating as a rule. This should be a very enjoyable time. Just try to avoid
those few circumstances where your guard is let down and your property is at risk.

Rich "Pam P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I've been monitoring this newsgroup for months helping plan a trip for my daughter
    > to Ireland, Scotland, and England. At one point, someone was posting notes
    > indicating that one should NEVER leave luggage in a car because break-ins were a
    > problem -- that even a gym bag and gym clothes would be stolen.
    >
    > My daughter and friends will be traveling in a hatchback and will be touring as
    > they travel between cities, meaning that luggage will be visible in the car. Does
    > anyone know of a way to minimize any possible problem since having their clothes
    > stolen would certainly be a hassle.
    >
    > I know they are going to have a great time in these three wonderful countries so
    > please don't anyone think that I'm slamming the countries. I'm just trying to
    > anticipate a problem based on what I've read here. Thanks..............Pam

Hi Pam,

    >My daughter and friends will be traveling in a hatchback and will be touring as they
    >travel between cities, meaning that luggage will be visible in the car. Does anyone
    >know of a way to minimize any possible problem since having their clothes stolen
    >would certainly be a hassle.

after four holidays in GB and Ireland (each one more than three weeks), three of them
alone (so no chance of leaving one person with the car) - I had never any problem.
AND there are always things in my car that may indicate to someone who looks out for
it that I'm a tourist - especially that it's a German car

My precautions are always to take my valuables (money, ID, mobile/cellphone, camera -
very expensive SLR) with me. Exceptions of course are the super- markets. But that's
it. I felt a lot more unsafe in France last year, but on the British Isles - except
some nights in the East End of London - I wouldn't say I had dangerous situations.
But perhaps I'm just used to avoid dangerous situations like parking lots where no
one is around or anything like that.

Baerbel.

On Fri, 29 Mar 2002 00:16:31 GMT, "Rich Gibson" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >We've travelled all over the U.K by car, so far without incident.
    >
    >- We've always tried to hide anything which would indicate the car was used by
    > tourists.
    >
    >- It is within the realm of possibility that professional thieves may have ways of
    > interpreting some identifying feature or marks on the car and detect that it's
    > used by tourists.

For why? It would not be fruitful, American tourists driving cars represent a tiny
fraction of the motoring population in the U.K. The theives could go for weeks on end
without identifying one. Neither would I expect a tourists car in particular to
contain items worth stealing. Used clothing? They are looking for items with a high
"value density" (so they can make an easy getaway, and make some money), cameras,
laptops, discman etc obviously. A putative thief would certainly be impeded in his
escape by any suitcase packed by my wife when we go touring. I can still recall the
garment bag with 22 coat hanger hooks sticking out the top.

    >For that reason we always try to empty the car of everything identifiable and
    >valuable by dropping the luggage off at the B&B (that's all we use in the U.K.) or
    >hotel as soon as we arrive in the area we're staying.

That's sensible but if it's just an overnight stop we just leave the stuff in the
back, cover it with a sheet, and find somewhere to park where you can back the car up
hard against a wall. I drive a medium sized European minivan.

    >Additionally, don't try to be clever by putting the laptop or valuables under the
    >seat, out of sight.
    >

Sound advice, since it makes you conspicuous and you can be watched doing it.

    >- If you use a pay and park definitely empty the car completely. That's like a
    > shopping mall for thieves. In that case we roll up the luggage shield in back to
    > reveal an empty storage area.
    >
In general they are not perceived as risky in the U.K. There have been police schemes
to improve security in public car parks, and there have been big improvements now
that CCTV cameras are more common than ever. The newest car parks with a police / AA
security scheme I now regard as *secure* and leave my stuff in the back for stays of
2 or 3 overnight stays if it's more convenient.

    >- If you have to stop somewhere for a short time, especially if it's around an area
    > where tourists might park, (rest stop, petrol station, fast food shops, tourist
    > offices) keep someone with the car if possible.

OTT.

    >No matter how inconvenient it is, take any high value items with you if you find
    >yourself in this type area.

That's common sense. 'though if you leave them behind at the table when you go to
the toilet.

    >
    >Finally, we've found drivers and folks in the U.K. to be very friendly and
    >accommodating as a rule. This should be a very enjoyable time. Just try to avoid
    >those few circumstances where your guard is let down and your property is at risk.
    >

The most important thing is to keep alert, and don't make yourself conspicuous..
One of my colleagues from Australia got his briefcase with all his docs and money
ripped off on his first day in Vienna whilst he was distracted puzzling over the
ins and outs of multi journey Vs multi day metro passes at a ticket machine ( A
difference of about $3 either way over his stay!), and whether he had the right
change for the machine.

The Service Manager

Hi

I've worked iin many places worldwide, iincludiing USA.

Take normal precautions in UK, i.e. nothing left visible in the car, and you wiill be fine. If that's not possible, only park iin safe places.

UK is certainly less prone to attack than Rome and Paris.

Peter

Pam P <[email protected]> writes:

    > I've been monitoring this newsgroup for months helping plan a trip for my daughter
    > to Ireland, Scotland, and England. At one point, someone was posting notes
    > indicating that one should NEVER leave luggage in a car because break-ins were a
    > problem -- that even a gym bag and gym clothes would be stolen.
    >
    > My daughter and friends will be traveling in a hatchback and will be touring as
    > they travel between cities, meaning that luggage will be visible in the car...

We spent three weeks on England, didn't have any trouble, but we avoided large cities
like the plague.

Are they renting a car? We specifically requested a car without a hatchback from the
car rental company, and they got us one. Might help to rent one with some dents and
scratches too.

Allen