Eleven arrests over keyless car thefts
Dorset Police have led an investigation across the South
Eleven people have been arrested after an extensive investigation into the theft of keyless vehicles across the South.
Seven men and a woman from Bournemouth, and men from Portsmouth, Romford and Weston-Super-Mare have all been detained say Dorset Police whose Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) has been leading the enquiries.
It relates to an organised group reported to be responsible for stealing high value vehicles between April and December 2024 with an estimated value in excess of half a million pounds.
All the suspects have been released on police bail or released under investigation as police continue their investigations, a 38-year-old man from Bournemouth has also been interviewed by officers and released under investigation.
DCI Jamie Halford, of SOCIT, said: "This comprehensive investigation has been a collaborative effort across several force areas to disrupt the activities of this group reported to be involved in a widescale operation targeting keyless start vehicles.
"Our detectives are continuing to compile evidence and are already working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with a view to securing charges in this case."
Detectives are also issued advice on how to protect your keyless entry car:
• When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car.
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag, and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.
• Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second-hand car.
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.