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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
Lifeasiknowitisout · 20/12/2023 17:38

1967Kitherly · 20/12/2023 17:31

Her car got stolen along with 3 of her neighbours. There were “markings” near her house but who knows if it was related. I’m not sure why you are so upset about me believing this marking thing, if you don’t then great! I’m not agreeing that what they are doing is in anyway logical or smart I’ve have just always heard about it!
Added some screenshots from a quick google- again it might be a load of old shite but it’s not unheard of

Show quote history

And where exactly is the actual proof?

Don’t think anyone is denying people say it’s a thing.

Just like when people claimed the army was being deployed to the streets for lock down and martial law was being invoked. With pictures of army trucks with Covid 19 unit on the sides

or when people say they have been given heads up a shopping centre will be bombed at Christmas. And they were given heads up because they found a wallet and returned it to its owner. And the owner (who is always ‘Asian’ tipped them of in exchange for their kindness. Used to go round every Christmas with people even calling the police about it. Didn’t happen. And also racist.

1967Kitherly · 20/12/2023 17:45

Nicknacky · 20/12/2023 17:36

😂 So you honestly believe that thieves made a mark on a tree to steal cars?

Im not upset at all. Why assume someone on the internet is upset because they have disagreed with you and asked you to provide a link to what you said? You did also think messages would be traced and were wrong about that.

BTW, Police officer for 21 years, detective for 12.

it’s not a thing. Houses are targeted, absolutely. No doubt about that. But marks are not made on nearby trees or on pavements. If that was the case then they would remove the mark so no one knew about their cunning ploy.

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Yep I do believe some people are weird and dumb enough to do that kind of thing. As a police officer then I thought you would know people do all kind of stupid things! Again, like I said I’ve always heard it through out the years!

Joking aside, I am genuinely glad to know that you have never experienced it as a PO and if it shall ever come up in a convo again I shall advise the person I am speaking to that is probably nothing

RedHelenB · 20/12/2023 17:47

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.

None of those fit OPs marking though.

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 17:48

CaptainMyCaptain · 20/12/2023 17:29

If they had to get over a wall and find it in a place not normally visible what use would it be?

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And what about, if you're casing the joint and know where to look you can find some useful information?
I should say it was not in the UK. It wasn't unknown to the police there.

Nicknacky · 20/12/2023 17:49

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 17:48

And what about, if you're casing the joint and know where to look you can find some useful information?
I should say it was not in the UK. It wasn't unknown to the police there.

Show quote history

Useful information like what?

Santashelperisonstrike · 20/12/2023 17:51

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.

Sorry, but this is nonsense!

Why would anyone checking out homes to burgle use a widely recognised signalling system, so that other burglars could take advantage of their research?!

And if it was a team of burglars, you don’t think they’d just meet up and one would say ‘that house at the corner of acacia avenue has loads of stuff inside and they’ve all gone off for Xmas- shall we break in on Saturday?’

anniegun · 20/12/2023 17:52

Me - I have just found the ideal Rangie for you to steal, here is the location. Thief- Great what colour and reg ? Me- ooh never thought to check, but I did write something really big on it so everyone can see

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 17:53

Nicknacky · 20/12/2023 17:49

Useful information like what?

Show quote history

Like alarmed, guard dog, already burgled, vulnerable person?

Nicknacky · 20/12/2023 17:55

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 17:53

Like alarmed, guard dog, already burgled, vulnerable person?

Show quote history

And then do they leave a symbol to let their thief pals know this?

Of course housebreakers do their research, no doubt about it.

CoatOfArms · 20/12/2023 17:55

Thieves don't go around "marking" cars, they just nick them when they come across them.

CoatOfArms · 20/12/2023 17:57

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.

This is also bollocks. Does nobody check Snopes any more?

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

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

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 17:58

@CornishPorsche That's really quite interesting, can I ask you, I once found a phone in my back garden, someone had been lurking under our windows one night, the dog chased them, that phone had no sim card: how does that work?

meatbaseddessert · 20/12/2023 17:59

Why mark them to come back later?

Are theives just a bunch of procrastinators? "Ooh that's a good car to steal ...hmm not sure I can be arsed today, Ive already nicked 4 and it's not worth starting a new one today. I'll just write on it too as I've got a really bad memory and I won't remember that this is the one I wanted to steal"

itsmyp4rty · 20/12/2023 18:01

If you were out scouting on someone else's behalf for cars to steal or houses to burgle - would you really put a mark on them so that the person you're out scouting for could then go around all the neighbourhoods after you, searching for your marks?
Why would anyone do that? How does that make sense to anyone?

CoatOfArms · 20/12/2023 18:02

meatbaseddessert · 20/12/2023 17:59

Why mark them to come back later?

Are theives just a bunch of procrastinators? "Ooh that's a good car to steal ...hmm not sure I can be arsed today, Ive already nicked 4 and it's not worth starting a new one today. I'll just write on it too as I've got a really bad memory and I won't remember that this is the one I wanted to steal"

Exactly what Snopes said. As IF dodgy criminals are coming up with codes and symbols rather than just taking a pic on their phone or noting the address.

crackofdoom · 20/12/2023 18:08

Someone on the village Facebook page posted a picture of a penis drawn on his van the other day (probably the most exciting thing that's happened here all year).

Do you reckon they marked his van because he's an ideal candidate to be kidnapped for sex slavery? Definitely sounds the most likely explanation 🤔

Wednesday6 · 20/12/2023 18:21

I will put "nothing worth stealing" sign on my house just in case

ConsistentlyElectrifiedElves · 20/12/2023 18:23

Range Rovers are the most targeted vehicle at the moment, certainly in my area. Is yours keyless entry? If so, make sure your keys are stashed in a faraday pouch and check that the pouch is working.

Also, if you have an iphone, get someone with a Samsung to travel in your car, or vice versa. If someone is keeping an eye on you they may have put an airtag or samsung equivalent hidden on it somewhere to keep an eye on where you go to pick up your routine. If you're being followed by a tag not connected to you, it should warn you. Also check around the easily accessible spots for a magnetic tracker that might have been placed on it (under the edges, etc) - maybe take it in to a garage and have them look?

I would be concerned too OP, given the spate of thefts lately. Maybe put your own tracker or tag in it, to be able to follow it if it is taken. Normally they're parked up somewhere for a few days, just in case there's a tracker on them, but this gives you a couple of days to find it.

Finally, if it doesn't have one already, consider getting a Ghost immobiliser fitted to it. Or a sticker in the window that says a Ghost immobiliser is fitted.

There's no harm in taking precautions, even if this isn't a tag for someone.

Lifeasiknowitisout · 20/12/2023 18:24

ConsistentlyElectrifiedElves · 20/12/2023 18:23

Range Rovers are the most targeted vehicle at the moment, certainly in my area. Is yours keyless entry? If so, make sure your keys are stashed in a faraday pouch and check that the pouch is working.

Also, if you have an iphone, get someone with a Samsung to travel in your car, or vice versa. If someone is keeping an eye on you they may have put an airtag or samsung equivalent hidden on it somewhere to keep an eye on where you go to pick up your routine. If you're being followed by a tag not connected to you, it should warn you. Also check around the easily accessible spots for a magnetic tracker that might have been placed on it (under the edges, etc) - maybe take it in to a garage and have them look?

I would be concerned too OP, given the spate of thefts lately. Maybe put your own tracker or tag in it, to be able to follow it if it is taken. Normally they're parked up somewhere for a few days, just in case there's a tracker on them, but this gives you a couple of days to find it.

Finally, if it doesn't have one already, consider getting a Ghost immobiliser fitted to it. Or a sticker in the window that says a Ghost immobiliser is fitted.

There's no harm in taking precautions, even if this isn't a tag for someone.

Follow it?

Are you joking and it’s just not translating?

Ortila · 20/12/2023 18:27

It's a sign alright.

A sign that you need to clean your car, you mucky pup.

crackofdoom · 20/12/2023 18:38

This thread is certainly confirming some of my prejudices about Range Rover owners 😏

HelpMeGetThrough · 20/12/2023 18:38

If it was a dick drawn, what's the message to the thief? "It's this one you dick, not the one next door!!"

BébéCadum · 20/12/2023 18:57

ConsistentlyElectrifiedElves · 20/12/2023 18:23

Range Rovers are the most targeted vehicle at the moment, certainly in my area. Is yours keyless entry? If so, make sure your keys are stashed in a faraday pouch and check that the pouch is working.

Also, if you have an iphone, get someone with a Samsung to travel in your car, or vice versa. If someone is keeping an eye on you they may have put an airtag or samsung equivalent hidden on it somewhere to keep an eye on where you go to pick up your routine. If you're being followed by a tag not connected to you, it should warn you. Also check around the easily accessible spots for a magnetic tracker that might have been placed on it (under the edges, etc) - maybe take it in to a garage and have them look?

I would be concerned too OP, given the spate of thefts lately. Maybe put your own tracker or tag in it, to be able to follow it if it is taken. Normally they're parked up somewhere for a few days, just in case there's a tracker on them, but this gives you a couple of days to find it.

Finally, if it doesn't have one already, consider getting a Ghost immobiliser fitted to it. Or a sticker in the window that says a Ghost immobiliser is fitted.

There's no harm in taking precautions, even if this isn't a tag for someone.

You sound just like an old friend of mine.😎

NerrSnerr · 20/12/2023 19:14

I think your best bet is to post on your local FB page. There'll be a load of other paranoid people happy to tell you all the 'signs' of crime they've seen too.

If you'd have washed your car yesterday how do you think they'd have marked it?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/12/2023 19:35

Wednesday6 · 20/12/2023 18:21

I will put "nothing worth stealing" sign on my house just in case

Well, it'll make sure that nobody risks tumble drying your house, I guess.