Police warning after series of keyless car thefts

Police are reminding people to be on their guard after a series of keyless vehicle thefts from Gloucester and Brockworth last week.

Six cars were stolen from driveways in the two areas overnight between Monday 12 and Friday 16 February.

It is believed that vehicles are being targeted by criminals, who are particularly focusing on Mercedes and BMWs.

Local neighbourhood policing teams are currently investigating the thefts. The vehicles are yet to be located but are believed to have been taken out of county.

Officers are appealing for anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell or motion-activated dashcams to come forward.

Cars were stolen from Fox Close, Bay Tree Road and Tansy Close in Abbeymead overnight between Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February.

Further cars were taken from Boverton Drive and Golden Arrow Way in Brockworth, and Woodland Green in Upton St Leonard overnight between Thursday 14 and Friday 15 February.

Car owners whose vehicles have proximity locking or access systems enabled on them are now being reminded to keep the keys as far away from the vehicle as possible. 

Criminals are still able to access the cars if the key is close enough, even if it is in a building.

There are a number of devices available which will stop the frequency of a key for a vehicle transmitting and reaching the vehicle itself. Alternatively, the keys should be kept more than two metres from the vehicle.

Anyone with any information which might be able to help the investigations can contact Gloucestershire Constabulary through the website, quoting incident 46 of 13 February: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/