What to do if…
you see someone checking car door handles in a parking lot or garage

What to do now

1. Create distance and cover. Move calmly to a safer spot, such as inside a building, near staffed areas, or beside other people. If you are in your car, lock the doors, start the engine, and reposition or leave if you can do so safely.
2. Check whether this is happening now. If the person is trying multiple cars, attempting entry, acting aggressively, or you feel unsafe, call 999 from a safe place.
3. Use the right reporting route.
   • Call 999 if a crime appears to be in progress or someone may be in immediate danger.
   • Otherwise, call 101 or report online to the relevant police force.
   • If you want to pass information anonymously and it is not urgent, you can use Crimestoppers.
4. Give clear details without guessing. Share the exact location, such as the car park name, level, bay numbers, nearest entrance, or nearby shop signs. Say what you saw, such as “trying door handles”, “moving from car to car”, or “looking into windows”.
5. Note safe identifying details. From a safe distance, note clothing, build, height, direction of travel, and any vehicle involved, including make, colour, or part of a number plate if you can see it without moving closer.
6. Alert people who can act on site. Tell car park security, store staff, or the site manager so they can follow their procedures, such as checking CCTV, warning customers, or contacting police.
7. If you think your own car is being targeted, do not go to it alone. Stay in a staffed or public area, report what is happening, and ask security or police what to do before returning to the vehicle.
8. Once you have reported it, stop tracking the person. If they leave, note the time and last direction from a safe place, pass that on, and then focus on leaving or continuing your day safely.