Etchings deter car thieves

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), March 23, 2007

Byline: By Steve Hughes

Security etching of windows and selected parts on vehicles makes them twice as likely to avoid being stolen, according to industry watchdog the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Now all Subaru and Daihatsu cars are to have half a dozen windows and various parts of every new vehicle marked in this way. The Retainagroup system will be used to mark glass with the brand logo, a unique code and the contact telephone number of its International Security Register.

In addition, a number of parts and components on both Subaru and Daihatsu vehicles will be security marked at International Motors' import centre at Sheerness in Kent.

Last year, 11,323 Subaru's and Daihatsu's were registered in the UK, according to the SMMT.

The Japanese brands join 12 other manufacturers who provide the Retain-agroup system as standard.

Marking and registration is a proven theft deterrent and the unique code is a powerful tool in detecting the growing problem of vehicle cloning.

The marking and registration of parts and components also makes selling parts from a broken-up car extremely risky.

A call to the ISR can determine whether the seller is the rightful owner.

International Motors' spokesman Arthur Fairley, says: "This is a simple and effective measure that we can provide at no extra cost to owners."