RE. the answer by HJ to the question in the Telegraph motoring column on 28 Feb.2014 from a reader whose son had his Landrover stolen. My son lost his VW Golf at less that one month old despite it having the very latest and 'best' alalrm / immobiliser. It was the cheapest version of the diesel Golf and he thought that nobody would bother stealing it. When I discussed with my son his buying a steering wheel crookbar he said that a car next to his had been broken into a week earlier and the crookbar almost broken apart as the would-be thief tried to get it off. Failing that the 'lowlife' then took out his spleen on the car upholstery and dash, slashing and gouging. Therefore my son discounted the use of a crookbar.

I've had the same crookbar now through four cars and always use it, leaving all the lockers and hatches open.