Suffolk drivers urged to be vigilant following vehicle thefts in villages including Stratford St Andrew, Nayland, Kettleburgh and Gazeley

Drivers are being urged to keep their vehicles secure after a series of thefts in the county targeted particular models with keyless entry systems.

Suffolk Police are investigating seven thefts that took place in the last month, the first of which took place between 4pm on January 7 and 8.20am on January 8.

A grey Range Rover Sport, registration number EK11 LLF, was stolen from a driveway of a property in Main Road, Stratford St Andrew. The crime reference for this incident is 37/1508/23.

On January 9 at around 2.30am, officers have said a grey Range Rover Sport, registration number R1 XYO, was stolen from a driveway in Gravel Hill, Nayland. This incident has a crime reference of 37/1555/23.

Between 12.55am and 1.16am on January 15, a Range Rover with the registration plate V2 LLF was taken from Rectory Road in Kettleburgh (reference 37/2702/23).

A grey Mercedes S350, registration BM19XOD, was taken from a driveway in Rectory Street, Gazeley, between 11.59 on Thursday 19 January and 8am on Friday 20 January. Crime reference 37/3808/23.

January 25 saw a black Range Rover, registration A19 BKP, stolen at around 3.10am from Norwich Road in Barham (reference 37/4732/23).

A white Honda CRV, registration EU16 TXA, was stolen from outside a property in Hollow Lane, Sibton, between 8pm on Wednesday 1 February and 11am on Thursday 2 February. CAD 166 of 2 February 2023.

A green Range Rover Vogue, registration GJ55WHO, was stolen from a driveway in Grove Park, Yoxford between 9pm and 9.50pm on Thursday 2 February. Crime reference 37/6618/23.

Owners with keyless entry systems are being advised to take preventative measures to keep their vehicle secure.

Keyless theft of a vehicle occurs when criminals use a transmitter to amplify the signal being emitted from the genuine key inside the owner’s house to reach the vehicle outside.

This allows it to be unlocked and driven away in seconds.

Suffolk Police have said owners can take the following steps to reduce the risk of this theft:

• In the house, store keys away from accessible doors and windows, inside a Faraday bag (search RFID security at www.securedbydesign.com for details of police preferred specification products) and then potentially into a metal tin. Several anti-theft pouches are available which are designed to block signals emitted by the key.
• It may be possible to disable the keyless entry function. Check your owner manual or seek advice from your local dealer if required.
• Use physical security measures such as steering wheel locks or wheel clamps to compliment your vehicles own security (www.soldsecure.com)
• Owners could also contact their local vehicle service dealer to see if there are security upgrades that can be carried out.
• Ensure that basic security measures, such as checking the doors and windows are secure, are always done.
• Where possible, park vehicles within secure compounds covered by CCTV.
• If you cannot park the vehicle in a garage, park it on a well-lit drive or well-lit area as close to your property as possible.
• For more details on the above guidance you can go to the Constabulary’s A - Z of crime prevention - First Principle site and go to Keyless car and van theft

Anyone with any information about these thefts is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101, quoting the relevant crime reference.