[geoffgp]

Just received this email from the Met Police.

Dear all
We are continuing to see a trend in theft of high value vehicles - particularly Range Rovers and BMW - they are being stolen by means of electronic devices that are being used to unlock the vehicles and then start them and drive them away. Areas of the Borough that are mainly being targeted are Kew, Mortlake and Barnes and Richmond

As a physical deterrent to avoid your car being targeted we recommend using a steering lock to act as an extra security barrier - a steering lock that has been tested to withstand attack and meet category 3 Thatcham approval should be applied each time you leave your vehicle.

Other preventative measures you can take are to use your garage if you have one, use your driveways if you have one, and consider blocking high value cars in with those of a lesser value

Please be assured that we are doing all we can to try and catch these thieves using a number of different tactics

As always if you see something that look suspicious it usually is! - pls ring 999

Kind regards

Hannah Wheeler
Inspector Richmond NPT, Licensing, ASB & NHW

Now which steering lock to buy?!

[jusdorange]

Disgusting

We shouldn't have to apply a stupid steering lock

Thankfully I live on a private road so they'd need to get past the guard/barrier too

[dopper99]

Glad I dont live in London then.

[JustChris]

Oh god steering locks takes us back 20 years Damn criminals do one!

[Steven1077]

How did they get your email address?

Maybe we should do what Mr Bean did and remove the steering wheel!!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Bit of a double edged sword that advice.

If you do secure your car, you run the risk of them 'knocking on door for the keys'.

I have copied the above details and passed to my local lot asking if anything around West Midlands.

Admittedly I have a disc lock for my E91, I received the car as details of keyless car thefts started surfacing.

I am surprised this is just happening in London tbh.

[Steven1077]

Yeah I know a few people that had their houses broken into for car keys including my sister, they took 3 cars in one go

[Andykf31]

Originally Posted by geoffgp

Just received this email from the Met Police.

Dear all
We are continuing to see a trend in theft of high value vehicles - particularly Range Rovers and BMW - they are being stolen by means of electronic devices that are being used to unlock the vehicles and then start them and drive them away. Areas of the Borough that are mainly being targeted are Kew, Mortlake and Barnes and Richmond

As a physical deterrent to avoid your car being targeted we recommend using a steering lock to act as an extra security barrier - a steering lock that has been tested to withstand attack and meet category 3 Thatcham approval should be applied each time you leave your vehicle.

Other preventative measures you can take are to use your garage if you have one, use your driveways if you have one, and consider blocking high value cars in with those of a lesser value

Please be assured that we are doing all we can to try and catch these thieves using a number of different tactics

As always if you see something that look suspicious it usually is! - pls ring 999

Kind regards

Hannah Wheeler
Inspector Richmond NPT, Licensing, ASB & NHW

Now which steering lock to buy?!

I wonder whether Ealing is up there with those too.

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Glad I dont live in London then.

Richmond is in surrey...

[DickieGibbo]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Glad I dont live in London then.

Happening everywhere.

As an insurance broker in the last month I have dealt with two theft claims.

Stolen M5 in Leicester and stolen RR sport in Birmingham. Both stolen with software.

Glad I have full GAP cover just in case.

Dickie

[Steve33]

Yeah these Bulgarian assholes make a program and programming hardware for 3k Euros. First it was only for E series cars but now they have one for the Fxx

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by Steve33

Yeah these Bulgarian assholes make a program and programming hardware for 3k Euros. First it was only for E series cars but now they have one for the Fxx

Are you 100% sure the software for the f series is available now? I was under the impression no one had cracked it yet. If they have I'm very worried.
It amazes me that reputable firms can't crack the ecu for remapping yet the common criminal can enter and start the car with something they purchase online.

[dazzapb]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Richmond is in surrey...

Well it used to be, its the London Borough of Richmond now. Same as Kingston

just Wiki'ed it and it was in 1965! I though it was in the 80's lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Government_Act_1963

[vikz55]

Timely thread this...
A mate of mine had his E90 335d de badged stolen last night from a car park. No sign of forced entry.
Unbelievable stuff. Bad times indeed!
From what I've read it's only cars with comfort access that are at risk (though correct me if I'm wrong)

[dazzapb]

indeed worrying. I got the same email from the Met police and I am in the borough

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by vikz55

Timely thread this...
A mate of mine had his E90 335d de badged stolen last night from a car park. No sign of forced entry.
Unbelievable stuff. Bad times indeed!
From what I've read it's only cars with comfort access that are at risk (though correct me if I'm wrong)

If it has a physical metal key, then you're safe. Even if you have to put the key into a slot but it's still no metal key (to start), then that's not safe.

Originally Posted by F30Andy

Are you 100% sure the software for the f series is available now? I was under the impression no one had cracked it yet. If they have I'm very worried.
It amazes me that reputable firms can't crack the ecu for remapping yet the common criminal can enter and start the car with something they purchase online.

Sent it to you... and here's how they open the door

[F30Andy]

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

Well it was gonna get cracked sooner or later.
The F series had a good innings, now it looks like it's just as vulnerable as the E series.

It's a shame when you have to take extra precautions because the manufacturer is too cheap to provide you with adequate security.

Maybe some tuning houses should offer employment to these twats to put their skills to good legitimate use.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

Well it was gonna get cracked sooner or later.
The F series had a good innings, now it looks like it's just as vulnerable as the E series.

It's a shame when you have to take extra precautions because the manufacturer is too cheap to provide you with adequate security.

Maybe some tuning houses should offer employment to these twats to put their skills to good legitimate use.

See video I just added to the previous post.

Killswitch is easy. Just a fuel pump toggle switch will stop them from starting it and driving away

[....,,,,..,,..]

If someone wants your car they will take it, there is pretty much nothing you can do to stop that happening.

All you can do is a range of deterrents, however if you deter too much you may have a knock on door requesting keys.

So at end of days, it's a insured item, it's covered by Gap and as long as you took sensible precautions then it's stolen and you get it replaced.

[VonRat]

Manufacturers should apply some sort of security device to stop this kind of thing happening.

I think having a mechanical lock on the ignition would be a good idea, you wouldn't be able to start the car without the correct key.

[Edinburra]

Use a disclock, it's visible, it's effective and it only cost as much as one full tank of fuel. Surely your BMW is worth more than that?

[SkyJawa]

Yes but they are a pain in the ass to lug around and use and can mark the dash if you happen to drop it etc.