Follow Up – Warning to van owners following spate of thefts in Wyre Forest [#210205940]

Last week, West Mercia Police sent the below message out. They are continuing to see vans, in particular Ford Transits, targeted in the Wyre Forest area. These thefts are mostly occurring without keys between the hours of 11pm and 4am.

One of the most effective ways to stop someone stealing your vehicle (keyless or not) is to use a steering wheel lock. We will continue working to prevent these thefts and capture those responsible.

Owners of vans and minibuses are being advised to take extra precautions to avoid their vehicles being stolen following a spate of thefts in Wyre Forest.

Officers are warning members of the public to review the security of their vehicles as they investigate five incidents in recent weeks that have been reported to police.

A white Ford Transit was taken from an address in Kidderminster over the night of December 4 and 5 but was later found in Halesowen and recovered by the owner on December 10.
On December 27, a silver Ford Transit minibus was stolen from a school in Stourport where a black BMW with the partial number plate ‘YE08’ was seen in convoy with the stolen vehicle.
Witnesses saw people jump over the gate at the school on the day of the theft, the minibus is still missing.
A white Ford Transit van was stolen between 2.30pm and 11.45pm on January 4 from an address in Kidderminster with the partial number plate of ‘PC14’.
The same day, a blue Ford Transit van with the partial plate ‘AD07’ was taken, also from Kidderminster. The theft happened between 10pm and 11.57pm. Neither have been recovered.
A silver Ford Fiesta derived van was also stolen, at around 1am on January 10, from Habberley Service Station in Franche Road, Kidderminster with the partial plate ‘KP13’ and has not yet been found.

Detective Sergeant Kelle Westwood from North Worcestershire CID said: “We are encouraging van owners to take extra security measures following this series of thefts to protect their vehicles from being stolen or broken into.

“Using a simple CCTV device monitoring your vehicle or a ring doorbell can help trace thieves but there are many ways you can prevent criminals from taking your van or car in the first place, like double-checking it is locked, putting the keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag, fitting good steering wheel locks, pedal boxes or a gear stick lock and parking in a well-lit, open location.

“There is more information and advice on our website at Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | West Mercia Police .”

“Enquiries are ongoing but anyone with information about these incidents is asked to share it via our website at Report a crime | West Mercia Police .”

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