Car Stolen, Alarm Didn't Go off. How to Prevent? Also, How to Defend Home in Australia?

900dollaridoos on 02/12/2023 - 15:12
Last edited 02/12/2023 - 15:13

Had my 2010 Xtrail get stolen out of my driveway in Hobart last night, bit of a shame. 4 weeks living here so it was a nice welcome to the state.
It had a pretty touchy alarm, like if I mucked up locking it and using the door it would go off, so definitely worked. How did they manage to steal it without breaking any glass or setting off the alarm? I still have the keys.

Cops said another 2010 Nissan (Navara) was stolen nearby the night before. Thinking maybe there might exist an electronic tool that beats them? Kinda want to learn more since I'm stuck in this house for 12 months more and figure it's a target now (dark, dirt laneway).

So, what's the Ozbargain countermeasure if alarms apparently are worthless? Samsung/apple tags? GPS? Bikies?

Second question, how are we supposed to protect family in this country? Genuinely looking for advice here. I work away from home and the police recommended a cricket bat for my now scared partner. She's like 4 foot, it won't do a thing. They've even banned pepper spray which is about the only 'weapon' that can't be used without all parties being messed up, surely making it the ultimate defence.
All cameras are going to do is let me watch it happen, if the worst arises.

Feels very frustrating when the recommended way to defend your family is to wait for them to be assaulted and then lodge a police report. I love Australia but it feels lousy being both nanny-stated and unprotected.
I can buy a new car but you can't undo the effects of a genuine home-invasion, which is now a somewhat warranted concern.

Automotive

Comments

  • bigbadboogieman on 05/12/2023 - 15:08
    +2

    Highly recommend getting locks and alarm codes changed. They might already have keys from previous tenancy or ownership or airbnb or whatever. Place precisely cut wooden dowels in window sliding channels. CCTV now comes with intrusion and tripwire functions. Configure that for early warning signs. It also triggers alarm when breached and works scaring people off in the moment plus notifies you on phone (keep a shrill notification sound so it wakes you). I also cut precise pieces of wood to jam into the garage door fittings so even if unlocked, it's not possible to open unless done from the inside. I've got a solid metal pipe like a baseball bat next to my bed at home.

  • nedrum on 05/12/2023 - 15:34

    Have recently seen some CCTV videos of cars being stolen using this method, so that might be how?
    https://leasing.com/guides/relay-car-theft-what-is-it-and-ho…

    Edit: Reddit post with the video of how quickly it can happen…
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/183i6…

  • Dack Smith on 05/12/2023 - 16:37
    +3

    Don’t think you can defend your home to any extent in Australia - alarms and cameras are all you can do

    You can claim self defence but if the burglar or robber is unarmed or less armed than you are, the court will find against you 90 percent of the time, ie the criminal has a bat and you have a kitchen knife and you win the fight - you’re going to jail for assault

    Call the cops, give up your homes and belongings to be violated so the law goes after the offender and not you.

    Just … don’t scream when you take it hard up there from the crims

  • USER DC on 05/12/2023 - 16:38
    +1

    I think best defence is a

    GPS tracker in car + a Fuel kill switch

    both are not that expensive.

  • WillKillfor5Cents on 05/12/2023 - 17:51
    +3

    What can a cricket bat do? Let's say you hit the burglar, won't you be charged with excessive force for defending yourself in Australia?

    I think the only place in the developed world where you are allowed to fight back is in the US (around the bible belt/republican states). As for the rest, give the crims whatever they want and claim insurance? Isn't that the only thing you can do? Can anyone clarify if we are actually allowed to fight back?

  • Click_It on 05/12/2023 - 22:07

    Pocket sand!
    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kXrWHNEfhsc

  • Yogojunzo on 05/12/2023 - 22:13

    Yes, cars are easily stolen today specially organised crime.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Kw94gVUl0&ab_channel=CarEx…

  • Murdrum on 06/12/2023 - 08:34

    From a Hobart suburb. A few years ago I had my 1985 model car broken in to, stolen from outside my house and abandoned in Lutana with everything of mild value stolen. A few weeks ago, two young males searched my whole neighbourhood for unlocked cars and stole all of the wallets, cash and small valuables they could find.

    Just like your experience, there was no threat to my or my family's safety, just crims taking advantage of poor security.

  • EdenKai on 06/12/2023 - 11:53

    This doesnt have anything to help you but recently my dads car got broken into. Nothing stolen, thankfully the only thing of value he had was a bunch of air freshners. Checking CCTV we found that he had a key fob that just unlocked his car. So maybe same case for you?

    So maybe warning to fellow ozbargainers, there are key fobs out there that might unlock your car.

  • moggott on 06/12/2023 - 18:02
    +1

    I have installed poison gas canisters that are rigged to release in the event of my car being broken into. It has dealt with 7 car thieves and unfortunately one of my sons. On the upside I have four sons left so it's not all bad.

  • shap08 on 07/12/2023 - 09:20
    -1

    OP still looking for his car https://www.reddit.com/r/tasmania/comments/18bu2o0/where_do_…

    • 900dollaridoos on 07/12/2023 - 13:40
      +1

      bit weird of you don't you reckon?

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