Tracker issues ‘frost jacking’ warning to motorists

Tracker issues ‘frost jacking’ warning to motorists 

“Don’t leave your vehicle vulnerable to opportunistic winter thieves” 

As Britons across the UK brace themselves for Autumn’s first frost this weekend,    stolen vehicle recovery expert, Tracker Network (UK) Ltd, is urging motorists to be on their guard from unscrupulous thieves when de-icing their windscreens. Nearly £2.5 million worth of stolen vehicles were recovered by Tracker between November 2021 and January 2022, the peak months for vehicles to be ‘frost jacked.’ 

The crime known as ‘frost-jacking’ is usually an opportunist crime when thieves see an unattended unlocked car, typically with the keys in the ignition, as drivers wait elsewhere to thaw out frosted windows and warm up cars on bitterly cold days. Car owners need to be aware that leaving their vehicle unattended in frosty mornings can not only make them an easy target for thieves, but they also run the risk of their insurance company not covering the theft. 

“It can be very tempting to leave your car running and unattended on harsh frosty mornings, but we’ve come to learn that the risk is too great,” warns Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker. “Many people don’t know that leaving a car running unattended on a public road is an offence under the Road Traffic Act, termed as quitting.  You could see yourself being fined anything from £20-£801 on the spot if caught in the act. But more worrying, whenever you do this, you are inviting criminals to help themselves to your car. And if it is stolen as a result of you not taking the necessary precautions to keep it safe, your insurance company could be unwilling to pay out on a claim if it is stolen.” 

However, not defrosting or demisting a vehicle is not an option. Motorists need to be aware they can be fined £602 and receive three penalty points when using a vehicle with parts or accessories in a “dangerous condition”. This includes relying on ‘porthole vision’ – where drivers leave a gap big enough to see out of but not the whole windscreen.  

Clive Wain continues, “Our advice is wrap up warm and stay with your car when defrosting windows. We also always urge motorists to be extra vigilant around this time of year and use a combination of new and traditional methods to keep their cars safe. One of the best ways to protect a car is to fit a tracking unit, which can significantly increase chances of a vehicle been recovered if it is stolen.” 

Tracker has an unrivalled stolen vehicle recovery rate of more than 95%, with 80% of those stolen vehicles recovered within 24 hours, thanks to its exclusive nationwide partnership with the UK’s police. Tracker’s solutions work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t know it’s there. VHF technology unique to Tracker makes its units resistant to GPS/GSM jamming, confirming Tracker as a superior security defence against determined thieves.  

Tracker’s Winter Security Advice  

• At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside  
• Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just stopping quickly   
• Never leave your car running unattended when de-icing   

• Always lock and secure your vehicle  
• Don’t leave belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you  
• Do not leave technology items on display, such as satnavs or mobile telephones.  Take them with you or lock them in the boot.  
• Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car – this only makes it easier for thieves to sell it on  
• Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras  

• If you have a garage, use it to park your car  
• Consider fitting a tracking device to help police recover your vehicle if it’s stolen