I noticed this has been featured in the local paper - I really hope someone spots it and informs the police. Seems strange to steal a van - why don't they go after the new new BMWs - maybe its because they are less likely to be caught in a Minor
Not being funny here BMC, but thats a pretty common thing to do and anyone with a bit of nous would be able to bypass it pretty quickly (thats not to say its not worth doing - will deter oppertunists etc!)
There are more effective ways to immobilse a minor
I bet this van sadly didn't have the pump isolated! Very few 'opportunist' thieves will even think about (or know about) hot wiring a petrol pump - of course if it's professionals, then almost anything is a waste of time - they will drag it onto a trailer if needs be!
The beauty of the pump isolation is - the engine starts - the car moves a hundered yards or so - and then it conks out! The thieves have no idea why - the car has been moved and so is now 'obvious' - hopefully the thieves abandon the car and run away and don't start thumbing through Haynes to consider why the thing has stopped!
Thanks for all your support guys.The odd thing is that the vets was broken into the following evening.Hmmm.I spoke to Vetty and he told me that when he was selling the van he kept getting a lot of calls from one bloke who used several different names each time,and that this chap was known to come from the local Gipsy site.I'll leave you to form your own opinions......
bmcecosse wrote:Yes - if it's that serious an operation - nothing will save it!
I did say 'opportunist' - which implies no real planning ahead/transporter etc !
That's exactly the point. It allows the crooks to get the car going, as they think and then when they are out on the road, in everyones' way it dies (And they panic). I remember some years ago, a retired couple were staying in the same hotel as me, in Austria. The husband had worked for Rootes but had owned a Mini. His Mini had an electric pump and it had been stolen on several occasions. On each it had been abandoned a short distance from where he had parked it, always with both doors left open.
How about a rifle barrel for a steering column......just remember to remove the bullet before you get in .