To lock the car doors in a crowd?

[ShatterResistant]

Please help me settle a "discussion" with DH. We were driving home this afternoon, in the dark, with 2 under 2 in the back. On the way, we passed a football ground, just as the crowd were coming out after the game. The traffic slowed right down, as there were people all over the road, although they weren't rowdy at all. I instinctively leaned down to push the central locking button, and DH said, what are you doing? When I explained that I was locking the doors, just in case, he didn't get it at all, and said I was being paranoid. Was I? I mean, in case of what, I don't suppose I really know. Car jacking? Opportunistic baby kidnapping? Very unlikely, I know, but POSSIBLE, right?! I should add, I'm not generally paranoid, and it's not something he habitually accuses me of. Also, he is a football fan, so I think he thought I was doubting his people, but I would do it in any crowd. So, who is right?!

Two decades ago when I worked in motor repairs, I heard more than one tale of cars stuck in traffic where gangs of four would surround a car, and simultaneously try each door ...

My car doors would be locked too.

There were quite a few 'handbag snatches' at traffic lights in my home town in December. DH always said I was being paranoid until then but changed his mind when it was all over the news. My doors are set to lock when I drive off, there is the option for either on my car but I prefer locked.

Both our cars automatically lock when driven off. Last few cars we have had have done this.

I thought, at least in some models, they unlock on impact. Not sure if ours do now though.

This is a dilemma. I know of some horrible accidents where people have been trapped through bil in the police force, but also of several friends who've had people try to get in their cars.

What I generally do is lock the doors while driving slowly through busy areas but unlock them again once traffic is flowing.

I had someone try to get into my car in Richmond, London. I caught his eye by mistake at the crossing, and he came running over, tried my door and got his hand in the top of my window as I was closing it. Luckily he gave up as I started moving.

But what was really weird was it was Saturday afternoon, on the high street, lots of shoppers, young girl in car, old drunk / high man who was very dishevelled. And not one person came over to help me!

So yes, I always lock my doors when moving slowly.

That's bloody frightening!

An acquaintance of mine had a 19yo daughter that was driving her car one evening. When she was stopped, a couple men got into the car as it was unlocked. They forced her to drive out in the middle of nowhere and raped her and slit her throat. I've really struggled to get past the thought that if she had been sitting in a locked car, she'd likely be alive right now.

I know that's not the norm, obviously. But bad shit does sometimes happen, so healthy precautions are not a bad thing IMO.

YANBU

I rarely lock my car doors when driving but would have done in the situation you describe. Not necessarily because I think anyone in the crowd would be violent but I have had a random drunk bloke open the passenger door and start chatting to me when I was stuck in traffic. This was whilst driving through a crowd of football supporters in London.

I always lock mine.

Someone attempted to car jack me once - my doors being locked saved me.

Carjacking ? Cant think of the last time i heard of one. Let alone amongst a crowd leaving a stadium. I also cant see why football supporters would be more likely to carjack or kidnap or steal as opposed to any pedestrian in any town in slow moving traffic. All seems very hollywood tbh.

So my answer has to be that you are paranoid unless you do this whenever slowing down in a town with lots of people around.

It doesn't matter if you dont live in an area thats not known for thefts etc, My area isn't however it does happen because "Smart" If there is such a thing criminals will rob places where it won't be expected. because they know people in/from these areas are more likely to have bags on passenger or back seats and unlocked doors.

cutleryhands there are, what, 10 incidents of carjacking outlined on this thread? Also, as I pointed out in my OP, it's not a football thing. I would do it in any crowd situation, and I will consider doing it in town centres too, now that I have heard other people's experiences.

How about some facts. THIS set of data was given in reply to a freedom of information request about incidents of carjacking in England.

It shows there were less than 3000 incidents a year of carjacking reported by English police districts in 2008/2009'ish

That's quite a lot.

A close member of my family was car jacked at knife point in broad daylight in a place that I would probably not have considered risky.

We are all careful to lock our doors now.

What is the point of doors locking once travelling at over 5mph? Surely you are at more risk of people trying to gain access to your vehicle at speeds of less than 5mph?

A police officer told my mum, and at a safety talk: "bum on seat, lock door!". So I always do it. I don't want my handbag nicked at the traffic lights! If I forget, my husband and I have a running joke because I'll see someone slightly 'suspicious looking' (last time it was actually my hairdresser and I hadn't realised, judgmental, moi?!) and slam the locks down. So my DH thinks I'm nuts too, but but in a good way

The moment I'm in the car, I hit the door locks.

I think the frustration for me is cars now have the automatic locks. So instead of opening JUST the driver's door, it opens ALL the doors. I much preferred the older cars years ago, where you could just open the door you needed open instead.

i was road raged n dragged out of my car once
never reported it so it wouldnt be in the stats

i have lots of heavy stuff eg car jack in my car that would break a window if required in an accident. its not impossibly hard for a bystander to break, say, a back window in case of accident

i dont plan on driving into a harbour either but if i did, doors dont open til car has filled completely with water due to difference in pressure

My doors lock as soon as i set off. Ifi am somewhere i feel vulnerable (carpark at night) i lock doors as soon as i get in the car. Before this car i would get into car, lock doors, start engine.

it's quite sensible to lock the doors.

IMO it's much more likely that someone will snatch your handbag or phone off the seat next to the pavement, when you stop at traffic lights, and very unlikely that a mad knifewoman will jump into the back seat.

My nieces godmother once had her handbag stolen from the passenger seat when she stopped at traffic lights. I am not a driver but often lock my door when in large built up areas.

As i said, if always done when slowing down.........

Still think its ott given the risk. You will happily walk your family around a town full of strangers and i bet your way more likely to be mugged. Personally i think its irrational fear and pretty typical these days.

but would you walk round a town of strangers, leaving your handbag and mobile phone on display and within easy reach of anyone walking by? While you were strapped down and unable to run after them or snatch it back?