NO one likes being reduced to a number but I was especially annoyed the other Friday night to become a statistic. While I was innocently enjoying a trip to the cinema, my poor little car was broken into, thus adding to the growing number of car crimes in

NO one likes being reduced to a number but I was especially annoyed the other Friday night to become a statistic.

While I was innocently enjoying a trip to the cinema, my poor little car was broken into, thus adding to the growing number of car crimes in this area so far this year.

Apparently, at the moment, satellite navigation systems are tempting thieves locally, resulting in 45 break-ins in Stevenage and North Herts in the first six weeks of the year alone.

I'm not justifying breaking in for a sat nav system, but in my case there wasn't even the attraction of an expensive piece of technology to cause the crime.

After an incident a few years ago when I left my stereo fascia in the car and another oik smashed a window and stole it, I now avoid leaving anything on display.

So unless this particular thief was interested in a road map of Hertfordshire or a pair of pink gloves, there was absolutely nothing worth breaking in for.

But break in they did, and now I'm left to deal with the aftermath and I'm thoroughly cheesed off.

I currently have a lock which only works from the inside, cue much climbing over the passenger side to get in and out of the car, which is a total and complete pain.

To rectify this truly annoying situation I've got to stump up for a new lock.

I can't claim it through my insurance, due to the excess and loss of no claims, so I've had to sort it all out myself.

I'm only avoiding having to pay someone to put it in because my very clever and kind dad can do it for me.

I know in the grand scale of world disasters and famine etc, my bust lock barrel is not a big deal and the incident itself really isn't the crime of the century.

But these kind of crimes, which cause so much inconvenience and expense, bring out my inner Daily Mail reader.

Over the last few days I've found myself thinking things like 'is nothing safe?', 'people these days have no respect for other people's property!', and in certain extreme moments, 'bring back public flogging!'.

OK, maybe not the last bit, but I'm certainly quietly outraged.

I'm hopefully a good person who works hard and tries to be nice to other people.

I've got a very humble car which is in the winter of its years, and all I want to be able to do is drive it while it's still going, and park it without anyone bothering it.

I'm going to sound a bit Daily Mail again, but is that really too much to ask?