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"Lock While You Drive" West Midlands Police (WMP) often issue this advice to prevent "car-jacking" or "snatch thefts" from passenger seats while the vehicle is stationary. The Golden Rule: "Once you are inside and have started the engine, manually lock your doors if your car doesn’t do it automatically. It only takes a second for an offender to open a door at a red light." Why This is Important Opportunistic Theft: Thieves in urban areas may watch for bags, phones, or laptops left on passenger seats. They can reach in, grab the item, and disappear before you can react.Car-Jacking Prevention: Keeping doors locked reduces the risk of being forced out of your vehicle at junctions or while idling.Anti-Hijack Settings: Many modern cars have an "Anti-Hijack" or "Auto-Lock" feature that locks all doors once you reach 5–10 mph. Check your car’s settings menu to see if this can be enabled. Additional Safety Tips for the Road Windows Up: In slow-moving traffic or at lights, keep windows closed or only slightly cracked to prevent anyone from reaching inside.Valuables Out of Sight: Keep bags on the floor behind the driver’s seat or in the boot rather than on the passenger seat.Leave a "Gap": When stopped in traffic, leave enough space between you and the car in front so you can see their rear tyres. This gives you "escape room" to drive away if someone approaches your door. Pro-Tip: If you feel threatened while stationary, sound your horn continuously to draw attention; this is often enough to scare off an opportunist. More Information: https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/preventing-car-vehicle-theft/ Local Safety Context Anti-Social Behaviour: WMP frequently patrols the Bentley Bridge area and Wednesfield High Street to monitor anti-social behaviour and vehicle-related crime.Emergency Access: The West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) notes that modern vehicle locks are designed to release automatically during a collision. In older cars, emergency crews are trained to gain access through windows or by removing doors, regardless of the lock status. Thank you Resident | 
