Steering lock sales soar at Halfords following car theft threat
Drivers warned to take extra security measures as thieves get high-tech
As police warn drivers to take extra security measures to protect their vehicles due to an increase in thefts, Halfords today reported a huge rise in sales of mechanical security - with sales of steering wheel locks up 55% compared with last year.
The rise has been driven by growing consumer awareness that high-tech car thieves can now clone car keys in seconds and bypass keyless ignition systems – which has seen owners turn to sturdy metal anti-theft devices.
After years of falling car crime, new figures show that car theft in London is close to a two-year high, with nearly 2,000 thefts in July alone. Other parts of the country have also seen a rise in stolen cars, and Greater Manchester has reported a 25% increase in car thefts, with 2,500 in the past year.¹
David Hammond, Car Security Buyer at Halfords said: ‘Organised gangs have mastered how to get around high-tech security devices, leading to a significant rise in car thefts across the UK. To guard against falling victim to these car thieves, Police are advising drivers to invest in a physical deterrent. Classic steel steering locks first became popular in the Eighties and Nineties but remain an extremely effective way of stopping and deterring thieves when technology alone is not enough.’
Halfords stocks a number of steering locks, available online and in-store, with its exclusive Stoplock Pulsar model proving to be extremely popular in recent weeks. For just £34.99, it both locks steering and has a flashing light for a visual deterrent.
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¹ According to an article on the Daily Mail Online, dated 17th August 2014, entitled ‘Dig out your steering locks, drivers urged, as car thieves get high-tech.’
For further information please contact Halfords@z-pr.com or 020 7896 3404
The Halfords Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator.
Halfords customers shop at 467 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 290 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices. Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment.
Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories and the retro-inspired Pendleton designs from Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton which combine classic lines with modern practicality.
New ranges are launching across the Carrera, Mongoose, Boardman and Raleigh brands with exclusive lines ahead of the Tour de France this summer.
In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.
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