low or high risk ?

[staggering]

Guys - just chatting at work earlier and the subject of "tax disc theft" came up. Personally, with full computer databases now and NPR (number plate recognition) systems today, I thought this would be low risk. Chap was saying that with our "convertibles" its easy for those "that do" to take tax disks from cars with their hoods down etc. Before computer technology, unscrupulous people used to put stolen tax disks to try to fool authorities into thinking there cars are taxed (even "doctoring" the car details (esp in the days of hand written discs)).
Just wondered if any of you had opinions on this - its not we always park our cars for long periods with the hoods down - its the opportunist theft when we've popped into shops etc. One could take the disc with you (sods law the authorities would pass by the same time and then have to go through checking procedure / hassle etc), maybe unecessary paranoia
On a similar vein, sometime ago I did also have a dilemma when in a public car park (very busy and open) my mate told me to put the hood up because "round here" its not unusual for "them" to take your car park ticket from the dashboard / windscreen and use it for themselves


Cheers
Ian

[flying farmer]

I have parked the TR with the top down for twenty years in some pretty dodgy places (outside a mates house not far from some shops/chinese in a noted dubious area of town late at night)

One of the main reasons for purchasing a tonneau cover was to stop it being used as a skip by passers by, but I never had a tax disc nicked.

I have however lost a parking ticket once, in a main town centre car park, fortunately getting back before being spotted by a traffic warden. Being as this was mostly before the advent of APNR cameras I would say the risk of tax disc theft is very low, but I often put my hood up before sticking a parking ticket to the screen.

Neil

[Andy Rundell]

I have however lost a parking ticket once, in a main town centre car park, fortunately getting back before being spotted by a traffic warden. Being as this was mostly before the advent of APNR cameras I would say the risk of tax disc theft is very low, but I often put my hood up before sticking a parking ticket to the screen.

Neil

For the car park ticket problem i always take a photograph of the ticket on the screen on my phone's camera....... i know many convertible drivers and bikers (on the few occasions they have to pay) who do the same - this way you can demonstrate that you have taken 'reasonable steps' and prove you have complied with the parking rules if you need to contest the fine.

......... Andy

[staggering]

Thanks for opinions Andy and Neil - hadn't thought about taking phone photo of parking ticket - simples

Cheers
Ian

[staginhiding]

DVLA offices now do an anti-theft tax disc holder.
I had never seen one before last week when I asked if they sold holders and that is what was supplied..

I scratched my head a few times as it was not easy to work out the instructions,and as far as I can see if someone tried to remove it,it would self destruct and destroy the disc...somehow..
Anyway its on and £1.54 each time for the pleasure..

[staggering]

DVLA offices now do an anti-theft tax disc holder.
I had never seen one before last week when I asked if they sold holders and that is what was supplied..

I scratched my head a few times as it was not easy to work out the instructions,and as far as I can see if someone tried to remove it,it would self destruct and destroy the disc...somehow..
Anyway its on and £1.54 each time for the pleasure..

Thanks for info, may do the same (obviously they (DVLA) must have seen a need to produce / market such a device)

Cheers
Ian

[DJT]

Do a search on eBay for Parking Ticket Holder and various options are available. The pocket type will make theft a bit more difficult, especially if you lock the doors. Our local council used to supply these on demand, but they aren't available through that route any more......

http://the-parky.com/shop/ticketpermit-holder-single-p-1.html

[Firept]

For car park tickets I have a small clear plastic pouch (one of those name badge type you get when going to a trade show etc) and I have fixed it to the inside of the sun-visor with opening at the hinge edge.
If some one really wants to take it they can but you are going to have to fiddle with it for some time to get the ticket out so it acts as a deterrent, you just pop the ticket in and put the visor down.. done.

Paul.

[404ROD]

I use this tamper proof tax disc holder that I get off of my local Neighbourhood Watch group. I have not had a situation where someone has tried to take my tax disc so cannot say how secure they are but when I change it at the end of the tax period it's a devil to get off of the windscreen . The in-situ image is cropped hence the poor quality.

Rod
.Tax Disc Holder.jpgIMG_0797a.jpg

[staggering]

Thanks all for ideas - didn't realise this subject has had so many solutions - perhaps the chaps at work had more of a point than I credited them

Cheers
Ian

[blue 464]

I also use the same holder as Rod, also got from the local crime prevention officer,its worth a try,derek

[andy p]

i have had this happen on my bike and transit van when the windows were left down, i never bothered with the bike one going missing but the van one cost me £7.00 at local dvla office to replace, i cant see the point in nicking them but hey some people are stupid