Car Owners Warned of Theft Risk

NEW ZEALAND SECURITY ASSOCIATION (INC)
7 ANZAC STREET P O BOX 33 936 TAKAPUNA AUCKLAND 1309 NEW ZEALAND
Media release
3 November 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAR OWNERS WARNED OF THEFT RISK

Owners of older model cars are at risk because of the easy access to duplicate keys which can not only be used to gain entry, but also for starting the car.

The New Zealand Security Association (NZSA) says the best way to guard against this problem is by fitting an effective immobiliser system.

The issue was highlighted in an item on Close up at 7 (November 2) that demonstrated how simply by quoting the car’s number plate, a duplicate key can be obtained for certain models.

NZSA Executive Director Barrie Cooper says that with the support of the New Zealand Police, government agencies, the Insurance Council of New Zealand and many insurance companies, the NZSA’s Vehicle Security Industry Group has implemented a star rating programme.

“This rates the effectiveness of security alarms and also identifies those cars which are at greatest risk of being stolen. These include Subarus, Familias, Corollas, Evos and Skylines as well as all cars with turbos or GT,” Mr Cooper says.

Also, installers are required to be registered and certified with the New Zealand Security Assocaition to standards set by the Australian and New Zealand Standards Authority.

“The Government announced a year ago that all imported used vehicles, 15 years or younger will require some form of immobilisation.

“More than 100 vehicles are stolen in New Zealand every day, costing the insurance companies many millions of dollars each year. While the duplicate key scam is by no means the only way cars are entered and stolen, it makes sense for car owners to take every precaution to protect their cars. Immobilisers are a logical safety device.”

For further information on the star rating system go to www.security.org.nz

ENDS

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