“The territory of Saint-Martin has been the subject of a serial phenomenon for more than ten years. Vehicle thefts (two-wheelers, cars and vans) represent between 2 and 500 incidents every year, which is considerable for a territory like Saint-Martin,” notes Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Wintzer, commander of the Northern Islands Gendarmerie.
“This rate has a strong impact on the cost of insurance, even the refusal of certain companies to insure people who have been victims of theft too many times. The latter, for lack of means of transport, continue to use their vehicle but find themselves in violation in the eyes of the police and expose themselves to serious financial consequences in the event of an accident, making them even more precarious. It is therefore in everyone's interest to stem this phenomenon, ”underlines the boss of the gendarmes.
“To fight against this scourge, there are several solutions which, taken one by one, have a limited action, but which, combined, make it possible to have a strong impact. The owners of small city cars are the first concerned, because these vehicles are very popular with criminal groups.
Prevention :
The goal of prevention is to prevent the theft of your vehicle.
This requires simple gestures:
• Equip your car with an anti-theft stick and put it on at every opportunity;
• Equip your car with an alarm;
• Record the license plate, color, model of a suspect vehicle and communicate them immediately to the gendarmerie by dialing 17 or by connecting to my digital brigade (https://www.gendarmerie.interieur.gouv .fr/Brigade-numerique);
• If you have a parking space near your accommodation, you can set up a video surveillance system;
• Park your vehicle as far as possible in a lighted area;
• Some owners have even shown their imagination by having the tabs welded on to prevent the computer from being pulled out or by removing the bonnet release handle to prevent battery theft;
• For scooters, the same recommendations apply. If you have the possibility, install a ring strong enough to be able to hang your motorcycle on it with a strong enough chain. When you equip yourself with means of prevention, it is sometimes better to put an extra €50, rather than buying an unsuitable product which will be quickly destroyed by thieves.
Repression :
It is the prerogative of the gendarmerie and justice. Specific measures are regularly put in place and lead to arrests in flagrante delicto. For optimize the action of law enforcement, you can equip your vehicle with a tracker. These systems are very effective, especially when they are connected to your Smartphone (alarm sending).
In addition, the gendarmerie tracks concealed vehicles, i.e. a vehicle that has been stolen, then reintroduced into the circuit after being "masked". (modification of the serial number, repainted vehicle).
You should know that if you are checked on board a concealed vehicle, you not only risk up to five years in prison but also the seizure of the vehicle. You will have lost everything.
Simple gestures to apply
• Beware of offers that are too attractive when you buy a vehicle: a vehicle 30% below the market price is a vehicle that may have been stolen or damaged;
• Beware of vendors who ask for cash only payments: they don't want you or the police to find them;
• Always ask to have a copy of the seller's ID and verified that it matches the original ID. If the seller refuses, beware, you are probably being ripped off. Keep this copy of your identity document, it may be requested by the investigation services if you are stopped at the wheel of a concealed vehicle;
• Check that the name on the identity document is the same as on the gray card or inspection card;
• Do not buy a vehicle that is not registered;
• Check the integrity of the serial number of the vehicle: if it is not clear, if it gives the impression of having been filed, the seller is trying to sell you a stolen vehicle;
• If in doubt, contact an approved garage
Finally, if you have been the victim of theft or attempted theft, immediately notify the police and do not touch anything. Depending on the news and the number of interventions, we will come to your home as soon as possible. The preservation of traces and clues is important to optimize the results of the investigation.
As you will have understood, this phenomenon is everyone's business. For their part, the security forces and public authorities are working together to find other ways to fight against these thefts and allow you to drive in your vehicle with complete peace of mind”.
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