Security and Safety, Anti-Carjacking and Evasive Driving Course

Anti-Carjacking Advice

Over the past few years we have seen a steady rise in the number of carjacking incidents in the UK. Some of these incidents have involved carjackers brandishing firearms, some brandishing knives and some brandishing syringes allegedly full of AIDS contaminated blood.

Alan Bell, Principal Instructor with Security And Safety has had many years experience, both in the UK and overseas, in the teaching of anti-carjack techniques as well as what to do if the unthinkable happens and your car is taken over by a carjacker.

Before finding out how to prevent carjacks happening to you, let's see why they occur in the first place.

Carjacking has probably been around since the invention of the motor vehicle but the number of actual cases have been so minute that it passed by relatively unnoticed until the mid 1980s. The concept of stealing a vehicle, without activating any alarms or cutting through steering wheel lock devices, driving off with it relatively undamaged and the bonus of having the original vehicle keys was jumped on by car thieves around the world.

Some carjackers are more sophisticated than others though. While working in South Africa as a Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard), Alan heard of the 'Amateur' and 'Professional' Carjackers.

The Professional Carjacker will see a car stopped at a red light and approach the driver's side from behind (usually at a 45 degree angle - the driver's 'blind spot'). The first thing the driver notices is a tap on his door window and he will see a person pointing a gun at him asking him politely to get out of the car. When he gets out, the carjacker simply gets in and drives off leaving him stranded.

The Amateur Carjacker will do the same but will not risk a confrontation with the driver and so he will point the gun at the driver and, without warning or provocation, shoot him / her. The carjacker will then drag the driver's body out of the car and drive off in the blood splattered car which now has a smashed window - sure, he won't get as much money for it but he will get more than enough to pay for the bullet he just used. The other 'bonus' for the 'Amateur Carjacker' is that any vehicles behind his unfortunate victim will no doubt stop to offer First Aid rather than chase after the carjacker.

In South Africa last year there were 11,200 carjackings whereas in the USA it is estimated that some 49,000 carjackings and attempted carjackings occur each year. This crime wave has now reached the UK and is on the increase daily.

So, where does carjacking occur? Well, the answer is obviously "anywhere" but statistics show that it usually occurs in the larger cities and most often in locations such as car parks, shopping centres, petrol stations, busy junctions where the driver has to stop and road traffic lights where the driver has to stop.

It also usually occurs when the owner is entering or exiting the vehicle and most carjackings or attempts (65% according to a recent study by the USA's National Crime Victimisation Survey) occur within five miles of the victim's home or work place.

Remember, carjackers have to get you to stop or slow down to get your car and so they have devised ways to get you to stop. The two most successful in both the States and in South Africa are the 'Bump' and the 'Fallen Number Plate'.

'The Bump' is where the carjacker will intentionally bump your vehicle from behind, usually only lightly and at low speed to avoid any great damage. Inevitably, the victim will pull over, stop and get out to exchange insurance details. The carjacker's accomplice (who is usually the carjacker's passenger) will then make off with your vehicle and the carjacker will also speed off leaving you stranded by the road side.

'The Fallen Number Plate' is where the carjackers will see the type of vehicle they want (remember, sometimes these criminals are stealing to order) and follow it until it parks. They will then unscrew the back number plate and wait until the victim drives off again. At some point, usually near a quieter stretch of road, the carjacker and his accomplice will overtake the victim and toot their car horn to attract the victim's attention. The victim will then notice this nice person waving the number plate which must have fallen off their car at some point. Relieved to get their number plate back, the victim will inevitably pull over and get out to
retrieve the plate from this 'Good Samaritan'. The carjacker's accomplice will then make off with your vehicle and the carjacker will drive off leaving you once again stranded by the road side.

What can YOU do to prevent this happening to you? Be aware of your surroundings and follow these simple steps:

	Always park in well-lit areas, if you know that it will be dark when you arrive / leave, don't park in an isolated or visually obstructed area (near walls, large hedgerows or at the far end of dimly lit multi-storey car park).
	As you walk to your vehicle, walk with purpose and stay alert. Watch for any suspicious persons sitting in cars or loitering around cars (perhaps looking nervous, handing out flyers, asking for directions, etc)
	If you are female, you may wish to ask for a security escort if you are alone at a shopping centre.
	As you approach your vehicle, have your vehicle keys in your hand. It helps you get into your vehicle faster and they can also be used as a weapon if you are attacked.
	As you get closer to your vehicle, look under, around, and inside. If safe, open the door, enter quickly, and lock the doors. Don't forget you can be an easy target if you are not alert and have your back turned while loading the boot or back seat up with shopping bags.
	Always drive with your vehicle doors locked - if you are not keen on this (in case you have an accident and emergency services cannot gain quick access to you) unlock your doors when you are driving at speed and lock them when driving around town or stopped.
	Always have your windows rolled up. If you don't have air conditioning roll your window down but no more than a couple of inches.
	When stopped in traffic, leave room to manoeuvre and escape. As a rule of thumb, if you can see the entire back wheel of vehicle in front of you, you have enough room to manoeuvre out.

	Don't stop to assist a stranger whose vehicle has broken down. Assist instead by calling the Police to help.
	If you are bumped in traffic and the offending vehicle has more than just the driver, be suspicious of the accident. Memorise or jot down the vehicle's registration number and description. Wave the offending vehicle to follow and drive to the nearest Police Station or a busy place or a petrol station (as they all have floor court CCTV) before getting out.
	If you do get out of your vehicle, take your keys (and purse or wallet if you have one) with you and stay alert.
	If you are ever confronted by a carjacker, don't resist. It is better to live and claim back on the insurance than to risk death over a car.
	Never agree to be kidnapped. Drop the vehicle keys and run and scream for help. If you are forced to drive, consider crashing your vehicle in any busy area so passers-by can offer assistance and call the Police.
	Call the Police immediately to report the crime and try to remember a description of the carjackers and the vehicle they may have used.
	If you remember nothing else, always remember that your vehicle has to be stationary or slowing to a stop to be carjacked. Carjackers cannot carjack your vehicle if it is moving. With this in mind, when driving in urban areas keep a close watch on traffic lights. When lights show red, don't drive at your normal speed towards them, slow down and by the time you reach them they should be changing to green again.
	Keep your car moving, stay vigilant when stopped and you won't be carjacked.