Abstract: A vehicle drive away prevention system (10,100) and method includes at least one vehicle drive away prevention apparatus (11,110) selectively allowing or preventing/restricting a vehicle leaving a holding zone. The apparatus has at least one detection means (18,118) for detecting at least one parameter indicative of movement or anticipated movement of the vehicle within the holding zone, and control means responsive to the at least one detection means to control operation of the vehicle drive away pre venter apparatus to prevent the vehicle from leaving the holding zone (14) when the at least one detection means (18,118) detects the at least one parameter indicative of actual movement or anticipated movement of the vehicle. One or more barriers (26,126) can be deployed in front of and/or behind a wheel of the vehicle if attempted or suspected vehicle drive away is detected.