NAGOYA, Feb 24 (News On Japan) –
Aichi Prefecture recorded the best variety of automobile thefts nationwide in 2025, with greater than 1,000 circumstances as thefts proceed to rise lately, and Land Cruisers account for 40 p.c of the autos focused, prompting authorities to warn that a number of layers of safety are important to discourage more and more refined strategies.
Security footage exhibits an individual approaching a parked automobile, shifting towards the entrance left tire and starting to work whereas illuminating the world by hand. Within moments, entry to the automobile’s system is gained and the headlights change on. From begin to end, the automobile is pushed away in simply two minutes and 20 seconds.
The video was proven at a automobile theft prevention seminar held on January twenty third on the Nishi Police Station in Nagoya.
“A car can be started in about two minutes. The places where vehicles are most often stolen are detached homes—ordinary houses where cars are parked outside,” a police officer stated.
Auto theft circumstances in Aichi have been trending upward lately, surpassing 1,000 incidents final yr to rank worst within the nation.
Among probably the most incessantly focused autos is the Land Cruiser, which accounts for about 40 p.c of theft circumstances, in accordance with authorities.
A Nagoya man whose Land Cruiser was stolen in January stated, “I never thought it would happen to me. It was hard to believe it had been stolen. For a week after it happened, I couldn’t sleep.”
The automobile had been a cherished possession he had admired since his twenties and had been delivered solely about two years earlier.
To forestall theft, police stress the significance of layering safety measures reasonably than counting on only one.
Although the person had put in a number of anti-theft gadgets, the thieves managed to bypass them.
“I felt reassured just having security installed, but I didn’t fully understand how it worked,” he stated.
“Instead of one measure, use two; instead of two, use three. Thieves don’t want to spend time on a vehicle, so adding layers of security is very effective,” stated Watanabe Shin, head of the neighborhood security division at Aichi Prefectural Police’s Nishi Station.
A steering wheel lock is cited as a very efficient bodily measure. By attaching and securing it whereas the wheel is turned absolutely, it might probably make driving the automobile troublesome.
Authorities additionally advocate putting in monitoring gadgets resembling GPS models so {that a} stolen automobile’s location could be recognized.
“I don’t want anyone else to experience the emptiness, frustration, and anger of seeing their beloved car disappear before their eyes,” the sufferer stated. “Don’t assume you’re safe just because you have security. If possible, use multiple physical locks and make your security as strong as you can.”
Source: Nagoya TV News