FLEET managers are being warned of a rise in car crime as the clocks go back this Sunday.

Last year, Lloyds TSB autolease found that body glass replacements, around 90% of which are caused by car crime, increased by 55% between October and November as the dark winter evenings took hold.

The trend continues throughout the winter months. Last year Lloyds TSB autolease saw that during the six of the darkest months, it made 73% more body glass replacements than during the lighter six months of the year (May to October).

Earlier this year, Autoglass’s 12th Annual Car Crime Survey revealed that the UK’s annual car crime bill increased to £1.4 billion, with the typical cost for motorists now up 24% to £569 in 2005. The survey also revealed that fleet drivers are being hit hardest.

Marcus Puddy, Lloyd’s head of fleet management said: ‘There were more than 3.2 million attacks on cars in 2005 – that’s 369 every hour. With the cost of broken glass the second highest re-charge cost for our customers, we know there are huge savings to be made to an overall fleet bill if effective action is taken. On top of this, it’s estimated that an average attack costs 27 business hours through vehicle down time and loss of business equipment and information.'

Fleet managers should advise their drivers to take the following steps:

Park in well lit and high visibility areas

Make sure no valuables are left on display, such as laptops, mobiles and handbags

Ensure that all the doors, boot and sunroof are locked, and windows are fully closed

Activate the alarm and steering lock

Never leave the keys in the ignition

Remove their car stereo if at all possible

Remove signs of portable satellite navigation systems, including the rubber seal mark on windscreens

For further advice on how to beat the criminals log onto: www.safermotoring.co.uk/CarTheft.cfm.