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Original poster

Someone marked my car last night? Target?

77 replies

Moniq123 · 20/12/2023 14:33

Hi all,

Woke up this morning to XX4 marked on the passenger side of my car. It wasn't there yesterday so must have been marked sometime in the night. A bit weirded out considering most of the day it's just myself and 3 kids, hence the "4". DH goes to work in the early am and back late in the evening. What do you think it is? Am I overthinking?

I called 101 for advice and they said if anything happens to call 999& also put a chair behind the front door to block anyone coming in.

Someone marked my car last night? Target?
OP posts:
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6
Olika · 20/12/2023 15:37

No idea about the marking but are you going to wash it off just in case?

Havetoast · 20/12/2023 15:42

Probably someone anti 4x4s

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:42

It’s code for something. It might be they want the car. Is it a Ford? Fords seem to be the car of choice for many thieves at the moment and loads have been stolen lately. Be extra vigilant with your house and your car. Also wash it off your car asap.

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 15:43

kids write on dirty cars... go wash it... job sorted

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 15:45

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:42

It’s code for something. It might be they want the car. Is it a Ford? Fords seem to be the car of choice for many thieves at the moment and loads have been stolen lately. Be extra vigilant with your house and your car. Also wash it off your car asap.

i can categorically say that 'fords' are not a car of choice.. unless its high powered and expensive.. same as audi, bmw, etc etc

if it was code or a marking it would have been done in such a way it cannot be removed, all the OP needs to do is clean their car

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:53

Unfortunately Fords are the car of choice in my area. They are targeted and stolen for parts. A lot of Fords have been stolen lately. Sometimes markings are also discreet.

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 15:54

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:53

Unfortunately Fords are the car of choice in my area. They are targeted and stolen for parts. A lot of Fords have been stolen lately. Sometimes markings are also discreet.

well that marking isnt discrete is it... its written in 2 foot high letters! if someone is going to steal a car, they steal it there and then, they dont mark it and then go back for it...

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:56

Yes they do. Please don’t be naive.

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 15:57

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 15:56

Yes they do. Please don’t be naive.

😂😂😂. in 22 years of doing my job i have never known a car to be marked

penjil · 20/12/2023 15:58

Burglars sometimes mark cars/fences/houses/gates for potential targets.

Sometimes different marks mean different things.

I've posted some below.

Someone marked my car last night? Target?
Serene135 · 20/12/2023 16:01

Goodness me @shewithnoname you are very naive. 😂 They do mark cars and they do go back for them later.

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:03

Serene135 · 20/12/2023 16:01

Goodness me @shewithnoname you are very naive. 😂 They do mark cars and they do go back for them later.

best and in my notice then eh

Petrine · 20/12/2023 16:08

@penjil

So who are these ‘secret’ signs for?

How do the signwriters get their info?

absolutely ridiculous!

penjil · 20/12/2023 16:17

Petrine · 20/12/2023 16:08

@penjil

So who are these ‘secret’ signs for?

How do the signwriters get their info?

absolutely ridiculous!

It isn't absolutely ridiculous at all.

Google it. It's an actual thing, and it is happening.

Sorry to disappoint you and burst the little bubble you live in.

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:19

Highly unlikely it's a marking for something. Just dick heads. Don't overthink it! Source: ex Detective including the burglary unit.

@penjil a version of those markings was doing the rounds in the early 2000s before smartphones and Google Maps! Fortunately, Snopes debunks shite like that:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/grab-and-go-code-chalkers/

@Serene135 you think they will write on a car they want to steal? Rather than just nick it when they see it? Or plan it if it's a really high end burglary or theft? Utter nonsense.

Are These Symbols Part of a Burglars' Code?

Rumor has it that unexplained chalk markings found on the outside of homes or other property warn of criminal activity to come.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/grab-and-go-code-chalkers

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:19

penjil · 20/12/2023 16:17

It isn't absolutely ridiculous at all.

Google it. It's an actual thing, and it is happening.

Sorry to disappoint you and burst the little bubble you live in.

Show quote history

ha ha ha ha google it??? cos everything you read on the internet is real???

its scare mongering thats what it is... utter tosh

CheersToAMerryChristmas · 20/12/2023 16:20

Those pavement markings are made by utility companies planning roadworks in the area Grin

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:20

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:03

best and in my notice then eh

Show quote history

Quite. Thank God for those who have seen all these signs, eh? I mean it's clearly an epidemic and all the burglars and thieves are in on it. 🙄🤔🤣

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:21

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:19

Highly unlikely it's a marking for something. Just dick heads. Don't overthink it! Source: ex Detective including the burglary unit.

@penjil a version of those markings was doing the rounds in the early 2000s before smartphones and Google Maps! Fortunately, Snopes debunks shite like that:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/grab-and-go-code-chalkers/

@Serene135 you think they will write on a car they want to steal? Rather than just nick it when they see it? Or plan it if it's a really high end burglary or theft? Utter nonsense.

you forgot the ... this house has a dog worth stealing mark!!! 😂😂

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:22

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:20

Quite. Thank God for those who have seen all these signs, eh? I mean it's clearly an epidemic and all the burglars and thieves are in on it. 🙄🤔🤣

Show quote history

22 years.... who knew eh?

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:25

@shewithnoname the hysteria on my local Facebook page every year when the hashing group mark up the town is a sight to behold.

"OMG, it's poison laid for dogs, it's marked up my house for burglary, it's a route for burglars to follow to find the most expensive homes in the area, my car was parked there last week they are obviously planning to steal it, it's drugs that they are leaving out in piles to get kids hooked on it....". Aaaaargh.

No Janet, it is tiny piles of flour AND IT HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER.

shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:27

CornishPorsche · 20/12/2023 16:25

@shewithnoname the hysteria on my local Facebook page every year when the hashing group mark up the town is a sight to behold.

"OMG, it's poison laid for dogs, it's marked up my house for burglary, it's a route for burglars to follow to find the most expensive homes in the area, my car was parked there last week they are obviously planning to steal it, it's drugs that they are leaving out in piles to get kids hooked on it....". Aaaaargh.

No Janet, it is tiny piles of flour AND IT HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER.

when will people learn, if they want it, they will take it... no marks, no warning.. no neon signs.. you just wake up (if you are lucky) and its gone

Original poster
Moniq123 · 20/12/2023 16:30

Thanks for all your messages. It's a Range Rover and we're in London so the most stolen car here. I've wiped off the markings now. It was done sometime in the night as it wasn't there last night. I also doubt it would be kids (considering was a Tuesday night + last day of school today)

OP posts:
shewithnoname · 20/12/2023 16:33

Moniq123 · 20/12/2023 16:30

Thanks for all your messages. It's a Range Rover and we're in London so the most stolen car here. I've wiped off the markings now. It was done sometime in the night as it wasn't there last night. I also doubt it would be kids (considering was a Tuesday night + last day of school today)

no you must be right... kids dont go out on a tuesday if its a school night....

Lifeasiknowitisout · 20/12/2023 16:35

If they wanted the car they would have taken it there and then.

It’s not a rare car. Who are they meant to be signalling to? Other people in their own gang? Who would come across many similar vehicles?

I am sure they could just remember where you are if they were coming back another night. Just wash the car.