Theft from Motor Vehicle

Dear residents, 

On 25th March 2026, thieves have accessed a VW Tiguan located on The Mall, Surbiton (St Marks & Seething Wells Ward). The vehicle was parked on the victim’s driveway, and the Haldex unit located at the rear of the vehicle has been stolen.

What is a Haldex unit?

Haldex is a system used by a number of vehicle manufacturers for their AWD (All Wheel Drive systems). It’s a key component that helps send power to the rear wheels of a vehicle when required, giving your vehicle better grip and control – especially in wet or icy conditions. 

Why are thieves targeting them?

The Haldex units are a valuable component and can often be quickly and easily removed from vehicles by thieves using simple tools, often without attracting much attention.

How will I know if it’s been stolen?

The vehicle is still driveable following the theft of these units, however the key indicators will be:

What vehicles are most likely to be equipped with a Haldex Unit?

How can I prevent my car being targeted?

Thieves will look for an easy target. Anything you can do to draw attention to them or slow them down, will help prevent your vehicle being targeted. 

Examples of measures you can take to prevent thefts include:

Cost of replacement 

In the event of the unit being stolen, they can cost in excess of £1000 to replace. 

STAY ALERT

Report suspicious activity around parked vehicles on 999. Look out for each other by staying vigilant, paying particular attention to people who may be loitering around a vehicle or using jacks/tools under a vehicle.