Local Priorities Theft Of Motor Vehicles Message

I wanted to provide an update regarding the theft of motor vehicles,  which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

On previous messages I have always raised the importance of having a tracker, such as an Apple Airtag or similar, concealed within your vehicle and this message is an example of why. The team were recently made aware by a resident that their vehicle had been stolen and that they were tracking their vehicle on a small air tag device concealed within it. This vehicle was tracked all the way to Ilford and found to be inside a "Chop Shop". Officers from your local ward team, alongside colleagues from Ilford, obtained an urgent search warrant and executed the warrant at the premises identifying a premises being used to break stolen vehicles into parts. Numerous car parts and other items, such as stolen property and drugs, were recovered from the address. The parts of these vehicles appeared to be packaged to be sent abroad within shipping containers.
Although the outcome was not what we wanted it is clear that the team have disrupted a clear organised network around vehicle crime and they will continue to target offenders exploiting the security of vehicles in order to steal them and make a gain for themselves criminally.

We know that people can be concerned about the personal and financial impact of having their vehicle stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law. Please consider taking the following steps to keep your vehicle safe:  

• Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked.  

• Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door.  

• If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when its not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months.  

• Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you don’t have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space.  

• Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme.  

• Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others. 

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.  

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. 

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