Keeping the handbag safe?

[{Dakota}]

Just a random wondering :0)

While I was sitting in a traffic jam en route home from work, I locked my doors as my handbag was, as always, sitting on the passenger seat.

How does anyone with a cabriolet keep their belongings safe when the top is down?

Thanks

[sense4all]

I have a small bag if I know I'm going topless ... but this year am gonna put in a locking sake in the boot that works on different key to main car system. It takes a laptop too is made by SECUREITSAFE.CO.UK. ( can go in any car is suitable for a laptop too). Costs under �150 quid. No link because Macafee says site not tested yet - but the web ref is current.

[colin6789]

Even in my hatch back I lock eventhing in the boot, A baseball bat can take out a window in one blow. The only thing I have in the glovebox in the 9mm.

[{Dakota}]

Hi sense - Do you hook the strap of your bag in the seatbelt before it's fastened to make sure you bag is OK?

Hi Colin - I lock everything else in the boot too, but the bag comes up front with me. I think I'd rather have the hassle of canceling my bank cards over the hassle of going to court for shooting someone though LOL!!

[dot.hawkes]

Just put the bag in the footwell i guess, though a lift up passenger seat seat with a secure storage area beneath would be good .

[Doctorfern]

I have a soft top. I ALWAYS make sure any valuables are locked in the special section in the car. It could be too easy just to get into the car and put handbag etc on passenger seat - or behind seat. I got into the habit on day one of buying my car by making sure handbag was in lockable compartment at the back of the car ( not the boot )
Very easy to stick to my rule - if I have a female passsenger
I make them do the same - just like making sure they have a seat belt on !!

[Ethel]

My good friend was stopped at a red light.

Baseball bat through the passenger window, handbag gone.

3pm in a very busy road. The thieves were never caught - and of course she had her house keys in her bag and letters with her address on. Great inconvenience as well as the actual theft and shock.

Everything goes in my boot or glove box.

[{Dakota}]

I don't think my bag would fit in the glovebox LOL.

It didn't cross my mind that someone would actually go to the bother of smashing the window with a bat. Thankfully my house key is on the same key ring as my car key, but I think I might start putting my bag in the boot all the same.

[Brooksy]

Back in the late 80s bandits started using a spring loaded metal punch or similar to shatter the door glass & grab whatever was on the seat(s) of cars stationary in traffic. Simply put, keep valuables out of sight. Oh, & I`ve recently read that "they" look for the tell tale suction pad marks on windscreens of parked cars & break in to nick the Satnav out of the glovebox or under the seat.

[TWR]

Hi all, A very easy solution, may cost you a Tenner $20, It will give the thiefs something to think about, High Vis Jacket placed in a noticable place, to be seen from the outside of the car/

[Panic Button]

Lift up the floor mat in the passenger footwell, and put the bag partially under it. Easy for you to take the bag, but someone outside glancing in won't see it.

[TonyBeeeee]

Under the floor mat, or under either seat, will do fine, these are opportunists who will not even give it a second thought if there isn't anything of value obviously in view.
When parked, yes stuff is better in the boot if you are leaving the car, but I am ultra cautious and put the stuff in the boot when I get to the car rather than before I get out and walk away, on the off chance that one of the s**m bags just happens to see me put it in the boot.
I keep my 15" length of steel tubing just behind the drivers seat, a lot less serious to get caught with than the 9mm, and I can always say its an extension bar to help undo wheel nuts.

[sense4all]

I have a tiny messenger bag that is smaller than other peoples make up bags - I put it in the door bin as far back as it will go so not visible from outside. I keep glass wipes to remove ring from sat nat ,in the glove box. There was a spate of thefts - dilly dallying pedestrains wandering in front of your car as you pulled off from the gas/petrol station here in town before the auto lock mechanism activates - their accomplices would use your attention being diverted to open your boot and help themselves to the contents.Which is why I am going for the safe box option.I always have a spare tenner tucked into an oyster card in it's holder tucked in my bra strap when I travel with the top down in London. I am religious about locking my doors etc. Years ago I used to work in a high cash ( therefore risk ) situation so my attitude is if they want the bag or car, they can have it , stuff is just that - stuff. I am only interested in preserving my/ others involved safety.

I always try to travel with as little as possible in the first place.

[sense4all]

Forgot to mention that I try not to carry anything with my address on it and on my sat nav , HOME = the local police station I drove into their car park and did a location spot and entered that as home ( I know how to get to my house from there) figured it may be the easiest nick they ever have! lol. I have the station landline number and if the car is ever nicked I am just gonna phone ahead.

[JonnyBoy12]

Well, remind me not to steal your car then, sense! Think they may suss that one if they are in the area, but stupider theives have been known in the world. I have heard of things being stolen from shops, and then the theif returns them if they do not work, asking for a replacement, and then wondering why they get caught.

[BillyBB]

They are known to work in gangs. One spots a lone femail with bag on passenger seat. The other walks to zebra crossing or lights or just saunters across the road. Third breaks window and grabs bag when you slow down.
Others just loiter close to traffic lights, particularly riding push bikes in some areas.

[BillyBB]

LOL femail - I've been spending too much time on the computer.

[Bathsheba]

I'm still wondering about TWR's suggestion re high vis jacket.Am I missing something here?

[leelapops]

Oh my word, I had never even thought of all this, as a young female with her first car. It is apparent from my car that I don't carry much of value (!) but I will definitely reconsider where I put my bag. Usually it's on the passenger seat next to me, but you have l raised some good points. It can go in the boot now.

Not sure where you all live, I haven't heard of such thefts round here!!
x

[leelapops]

As in, off-duty police maybe, Bath?
Coming back from work after 9 last night, we stopped at an accident where a lad on a moped had been hit by a taxi, and within minutes an off-duty policeman had stopped and put his vest on.

x