Aibu to think this was a premeditated attempted theft?

[Rosewaterflame]

This morning I checked my ring cam. We live on a cul de sac. We have 1 Range Rover and one Porsche. At approximately midnight 3 opportunists walked down our road and grouped on the corner of the road.

Then they seemed to split off one then started to walk near to my car then hid behind it quickly as my neighbours walked to the window. Then just ran as soon as they’d been seen. The back camera wasn’t turned on but it detected motion which leads me to think they jumped my fence.

My husband left his car at his brothers but was actually in. We both were asleep but no one on our street was, as it was a Saturday. It’s lucky we have such amazing neighbours as they rang me immediately but stupidly my phone was on silent and so was my husbands but by morning they blocked my car in.

It seems odd to me as this happened when hubbys car wasn’t there. But also I wonder if it was targeted?

I spoke to my Aunty who lives 10 mins away and she seems to think it was just because we’re an end corner home, however I totally disagree as my hubby said they may have watched us before. She’s quite old so doesn’t really get it.

Aibu for disagreeing with my Aunty?

Have the police given any anti stealing advice? Think I read somewhere that the old fashioned steering wheel locks are good.

Could you install drop down bollards/ posts on your driveway ? And keep your keys in a signal blocking box in the house?

Definitely after the car

100% after the cars I would be tempted to get collapsible bollards and steering wheel locks etc

Has it got a tracker, if not then just hiding an apple air tag in it would be good. In fact add one of these even if you have a tracker as they can disable trackers but won’t think to look for an AirTag. Ideally remove the speaker from the AirTag so it doesn’t play a tune when moved and give the game away. There are YouTube videos on how to remove the speaker.

Would an old fashioned steering wheel lock deter the thieves? Or would they be able to cut through it?

They might not be expecting it so might not have tools. Or it might take too much time/noise for them to do it. I’ve definitely seen them recommended.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/95031/best-steering-wheel-locks-20212022

Does it matter who is right? I'd be more concerned about making my security as tight as possible.

How would we know. They could have been watching you. They might not have been watching you.

They pull the car to pieces to look for trackers and air tags.
The cars are mostly stolen to be broken up for parts anyway.
The ones that are stolen to order are in a container on a ship in double quick time, so difficult to retrieve even if you find them.
I have seen a couple of cases locally where the owner has been able to find the car, but it is rare.
The police don't investigate due to no time or resources.

Don’t waste money on a steering lock. We live in an area that’s had a huge number of car thefts in recent years and if the posts on Nextdoor are anything to go by, more than half of them have a steering lock, which is neither a deterrent nor obstacle

You MUST deactivate keyless entry on both cars today. It’s really easy to do and the instructions will be on YouTube or online.

And then get a Ghost immobiliser fitted to both cars. It’s about £400 but that’s a lot less than the increase in insurance premium if a car gets nicked.

In London they often park the range rover in another neighborhood for a night in case it's being tracked. So trackers or airtags are worth it. However they also use airtags themselves to mark a car when it's seen out, so they can find out where it lives. Keyless entry/ignition has a lot to answer for.

It sounds like youre putting a car over you quality of life, why become a prisoner in your home when you can do something about it?

I fail to see how your aunt’s knowledge of car thieves’ modus operandi is relevant. Also, none of us know what happened. Either garage your cars, or sell them and buy something inconspicuous. Or, I suppose, stay in for the rest of your life.

OP there's a way to ask google to get your house off google maps. Look it up. People who live in houses, particularly detached in the middle of nowhere, should do it.

People are allowed to buy whatever car they want. It's not the OP's fault the police won't do their job therefore making stealing cars such an attractive and profitable business. Older cars are fine and dandy too because of their expensive catalysts that are worth big bucks so if you think older cars are worth zilch, think again.

I’m imagining your Aunt as The Oracle in The Matrix!

Joking aside, sounds like they were targeting your car. Your NDN was obviously hugely suspicious as they kindly blocked your car in.

As others have suggested, can you get penguin bollards fitted?

Of course they can but why would you choose one that means you're too scared to leave the house? Life's too short for that.

Do you keep car keys In a Faraday box? That helps to stop thieves triggering them remotely to give them access to the car.

We do have a climate emergency and these types of cars are adding to the problem, polluting our air and pumping carbon into the atmosphere.
You could get environmentally friendly cars instead.
Before you ask, I don't have a car.

I don't think they were looking to nick the car for environmental reasons

Round where I live Range Rovers and Cayennes are stolen every other day.

As PP have said, it's an organised crime thing. I've even heard that some of the gangs get jobs in the car showrooms and when a brand new RR is sold, they clone the key before handing it to the owner. Then they give it to the other gang members - along with the customer's address - and they go and steal it right back.

Range rovers are one of the top cars for being hijacked.
But does sound like you were targeted lucky you have great neighbours who done that for you.
I would have be tempted to get an extra alarm built in to either car that the would be burglars wouldn't have any clue they had them so couldn't disarm them.

Most of the victims round here did have the keys in a faraday box. The thieves seem to be able to access the car's computer via the headlight, or under the car somewhere. They have all sorts of expensive equipment, it is all very professional. It takes seconds. We are advised to use a steering lock in the hope that they will move on to the next one so as not to take up their time.