Call for vigilance after theft of motor vehicles in North Herts

Police are asking members of the public in North Herts to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour following reports of vehicle theft this week.

Two keyless vehicle thefts took place in Hitchin overnight on Wednesday into Thursday. Details are as follows:

·      A BMW X5 was stolen from Moss Way, Hitchin at around 3am on Thursday 8 February (41/10982/24).

·      A BMW M2 was stolen from Swinburne Avenue, Hitchin between 10.45pm on Wednesday 7 February and 5.30am on Thursday 8 February (41/10986/14).

Detective Constable Gemma Hutchinson, of the North Herts Local Crime Unit, said: "I'd like to hear from anyone who witnessed these incidents, or caught unusual footage on doorbell cameras, in the Moss Way or Swinburne Avenue areas of Hitchin around the times stated.

"These incidents both saw keyless entry vehicles taken. Criminals can use signal jacking devices which pick up the key fob signal, then unlock and start a vehicle. 

"A way to counter this is by keeping your car keys in a signal blocking fob pouch or by storing your fob in a metal box will help prevent the signal being detected. Further crime prevention advice can be found below or on our website."

Call the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 41/10982/24 or 41/10986/14.