Published: Thursday, 21st September 2023
Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire Police are calling on residents to be extra vigilant following a spate of car thefts.
This follows a number of cars being stolen in the Cannock and Rugeley areas over recent months and follows similar thefts Staffordshire Police are dealing with elsewhere in Lichfield District, South Staffordshire District and Tamworth Borough.
The Police say many of the thefts are `keyless` ones where criminals access the signal from car keys which are left close to front doors. They use a relay device to transmit the signal to owners’ cars. The car thinks the actual key is close by and unlocks itself and allows the engine to be started.
These thefts can be stopped by using a signal blocker which a number are available free of charge from Cannock Chase Council. Car keys can be stored inside the signal blocker so thieves can’t pick up the signal.
The Police are also seeing an increase in house burglaries to steal car keys. A steering lock on car steering wheels is recommended to deter criminals from doing this, or by simply keeping car keys well away from front doors where most people unwittingly keep them, perhaps on a hallway table or on a hook. Moving keys into hard-to-find places means criminals won’t find them.
Councillor Jo Elson Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing said “These car thefts are a growing concern across the District. We’re working closely with Staffordshire Police to tackle this issue. We have a number of signal blockers available for residents which can help stop the theft of keyless cars by intercepting car fob signals.
“Residents can collect a signal blocker, on a `first come first served basis`, by calling into the Civic Centre Reception during 9am to 4pm between Mondays and Fridays."
Inspector Chris Moss from Staffordshire Police said: “We are proactively targeting vehicle crime where offenders either use keyless technology such as fobs and relay devices or burgle a property to steal keys.
“We are doing this through a dedicated team that has been set up under Operation Bormus, with increased patrols targeting hot spots and known criminals, as well as sharing intelligence with regional forces including our neighbours at West Midlands Police and at the Central Motorway Police Group, given the district’s proximity to motorways.”
Staffordshire Police say that usually high performance models are targeted at residential properties and extra vigilance as well as keeping cars locked and house doors and windows secure all help to deter thieves.