IT'S ESTIMATED that car crime costs the UK £35 billion a year and accounts for a fifth of all recorded crime - proof that the criminals are still getting away with it.

Yet it's amazing what you can do to help yourself, as even the simplest methods of crime protection don't have to cost the earth.

Out of sight.out of mind: Putting your car out of sight is the best way to deter a thief. Clearing out all the junk from your garage is yet another way of reducing your insurance premium - making it a doubly attractive incentive.

Even if you don't have a garage, at the very least, hide all your possessions from view by locking them in the boot. Better still, only keep the bare minimum in your car to avoid being inconvenienced in the first place.

Navigate the problem: Portable satellite navigation systems are the number one target for car thieves, especially as the falling prices make them even more common. Removing it from the windscreen is a given, but really you should remove the whole thing.

Thieves look for marks left on the windscreen by the rubber suckers: that will be enough to have your window broken and the glovebox rifled. It may be a pain, but take the sat-nav with you, remove the the mounting and wipe the sucker marks away. Don't forget to stash or take away any associated cables too, as these will give the opportunist a hint at what may be inside.

Listen up : It may have come free with a contract but, in the wrong hands, your mobile phone is worth money and its fraudulent use could cost your dear, so don't leave yours on display. Stereos are becoming more and more secure, so removable items are often the target for criminals.

Lock and don't lose it: Walk through any car park and the sight of windows and sunroofs ajar is a common one. This casual attitude to security is tempting fate so, whatever the weather, make sure everything is shut tight before leaving your car.

Finally, remember to remove the keys when you leave your vehicle. The temptation, especially at petrol station forecourts, is often too great but a waiting car thief will gladly punish your laziness. And your insurance company probably won't pay out in the event of a claim, either.