Tyre theft is a massive problem in South Africa, with criminals becoming increasingly brazen in their actions.
While it is easiest for thieves to target your car when it is parked on a public road, there has been a growing trend in 2024 of people breaking into properties, removing the wheels from parked vehicles, and throwing them over the walls to accomplices before disappearing in short order.
With all this in mind, it is important to take proactive measures to ensure that you do not become the victim of one of these crimes.
According to MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert, there are nine steps you can take to make it much harder for criminals to make off with your car’s tyres.
Best practices
The first and most obvious way to protect your car is to park it inside your property rather than out on the street, preferably in a lockable garage.
If your garage is primarily used to store items rather than your vehicle, it may be worth taking the time to clear it out, given that a stolen set of tyres can easily run into the tens of thousands to replace.
Another good practice is to install wheel lock nuts or lug nuts if possible, as this is a deterrent to low-level thieves.
Unfortunately, more advanced crews tend to bring equipment to remove these nuts so it is not a surefire method, but every little bit counts.
On a more general security level, consider purchasing outside beams for your property and ensure they are always on in the evenings, even if it means setting a reminder on your phone until it becomes a habit.
Similarly, it’s advised that you always keep your yard well-lit at night, and do not leave any valuables visible in your car when out and about, as this will attract unwanted attention that could lead to opportunists taking an interest in your vehicle.
Another way to prevent criminals from staking out you and your car is to not purchase a popular vehicle or body style if you can afford to choose an alternative.
The most commonly targeted transport for wheel theft includes bakkies, SUVs, and medium and large-sized trucks.
If all else fails and you are a victim of this crime, report it to your local police station.
Not only is it necessary for insurance claims, but reporting criminal activity and bringing more attention to the problem is the only way that it can be identified and counteracted.
“Tyres are not cheap which feeds the demand for cheaper, more questionably sourced tyres,” said Herbert.
“There is no way to track or determine if a tyre was stolen making it a lower-risk crime than vehicle theft. Lastly, a vehicle can be relieved of its tyres in less than 10 minutes.”
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