We have invested in car park security measures including CCTV, improved lighting, and security fencing at a number of our station car parks. As part of our current franchise we will also be working towards “Park Mark” Safer Car Park accreditation awards at some of our stations. Our Rail Community Officers, contracted security staff, and the British Transport Police also carry out routine patrols of our car parks. 

Physical security features of car parks go some way towards deterring vehicle crime, but they are not the only solution. You can help protect your vehicle from damage and theft by following these simple guidelines when parking your vehicle in our station car parks:

  • Always lock your vehicle
  • Never leave any valuables on display. An old coat, a plastic bag or CDs left on display can be enough to attract unwanted attention!
  • Remove all satellite navigation equipment. Theft of “sat-navs” is the most common reason why cars are broken into.  Please also:
    • Remove any sat-nav cradles or other devices used to secure the equipment 
    • Wipe away any suction pad residue from the windscreen as this is a give-away to thieves that there could be a sat-nav device still in the vehicle. Buy some internal windscreen wipes and keep these to hand in your car.
    • Never leave the sat-nav device in the glove compartment.
    • Take your sat-nav with you.
  • Use a steering wheel lock.

The Home Office also recommend motorists take the following steps to help prevent vehicle crime:

  • Alarms
  • Immobilisers
  • Tracker devices
  • Window etching

Remember that the cost of your vehicle does not pre-determine the likelihood of it being broken into or stolen.  A car worth £500 is just as much of a target as a car worth £50,000 because they are likely to be easier to break into and have fewer built-in security features.  Some car thieves steal expensive cars ‘to order’ but many steal cheaper cars in order to provide themselves with a short-term means of free transport.

If your car is broken into or stolen at one of our station car parks please contact the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.