www.jec.org.uk

Went to my garage this morning (a secure compound with electronic fob to enter) to find my car had been attacked. The thieves entered by removing a section of the roof and jumping in on my car. They (him, her, I don't know) smashed the passenger window and wrecked the inside and all for and aftermarket Kenwood Radio. How much is a second hand car radio worth, £20 to £30?

What was so hard for me to take was that I have just spent the last two weekends working on the car and just about every bone and muscle in my body hurts!

The local constabulary were brilliant. An Officer and Forensics arrived very quickly and it was quite humbling that they took the matter so seriously given the reality of much more serious goings on in the real world. It is a sobering experience when it happens to you though, and they are your possessions. My XJS is for all intents a member of the family (I know it's silly to be so attached) and I truly feel hurt.

The car is now with the repair centre awaiting an estimate. My problem, assuming the car is satisfactorily repaired what do I do. I've usually just left my cars on the street on the basis they are used daily. I decide to keep the XJS in a locked garage in a locked compound because I wanted to protect it.

Nick

Very bad luck.

Deepest commiserations. Difficult to say much more than hope the car gets fixed well and that you can find somewhere safer to store it.

Kind regards,

Mike

Nick,
Words fail me, I could shed a tear for you

Oldtimer

I feel for you; as you say our cars are more than just cars. I have not heard much about this type of crime recently and assumed that old fashioned radios were no longer of interest to petty crims. now that downloading etc has been born. Hope you are well insured on an agreed value basis when at least you will be assured of a resto to proper standards.

What part of the country are you in?

Good news that the police were so interested when a crime number over the phone seems to be the norm - they may get a result, hopefully so, but it will be bloody drugs behind it really. Whatever is to be done when the people that they admire readily admit to drug abuse in the media as if it is a normal thing to do.

Do please let us know how you get on.

Paul

I'm down in Gillingham, Kent. First ever problem I've personally experienced since moving here from a much quieter area. My car is off being repaired and I've added a couple of small paint repairs at my cost whilst it is there.

My biggest headache is now where do I put the car. I'm not sure it can go back to my garage. I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night but equally I don't really wish to leave it on the road,the only viable alternative for me.

I'm looking round for a locally available larger garage but so far not much joy. Fingers crossed.

Happy days
Nick

Hi, Nick

So sorry to hear about this attack. I was feeling sorry for myself because someone decided to kick off the door mirror of my daily modern the other night. (I'm only round the corner to you, as you know). I came out in the morning to find a note on my windscreen from the police about it. They had arrested a guy for damaging a few cars in the street. Not linked to your episode I know, but like you very impressed with the way in which the police dealt with the situation. I was impressed with the security at your garage, but you don't really expect the baddies to come in through the roof! I hope you get matters resolved quickly.

Thanks for your kind thoughts guys.

Also thanks Keith. I understand there has been a raised level of burglaries in the area generally. Maybe the warm weather keeps them out late. Many of the garages where I keep my car (kept) appear to have been attacked.

At a guess does seem to be kids looking for money to fuel their habits.

The picture below just shows the gap these lowlife used to get into my garage and cause £2K+ worth of damage.

Happy days
Nick

Westerham will be too far away to be convenient, but Kelsey who publish Jaguar World have a secure storage facility. May help out until you get properly sorted.

Thanks Paul