Friday, March 29, 2024
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Land Rover thefts alert

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Police have issued a warning to the owners of Land Rover Defenders after several were targeted by thieves in the Village area.

In one incident at the Lickey Hills Country Park on December 29 a bonnet was unscrewed and stolen from a Defender parked outside the Visitors Centre at around 3.20pm.

A blue Land Rover 90 (Defender) – registration C384 LUJ – was also reported stolen from a locked compound in Pikes Pool Lane, Burcot. It was taken between 10am on December 28 and 6.30pm the following day when the theft was discovered.

Overnight between December 16 and 17 an unsuccessful attempt was also made to steal a Land Rover Defender from a driveway in Old Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove.

Sgt Carl Paskin said that patrols were now paying special attention to any Land Rover Defenders and local dealers were being requested to warn their customers. He said owners needed to ensure their vehicles were secure.

He said: “We had a spike in these thefts during the summer when all types of Defenders were targeted but these latest incidents have involved mainly older models. It is believed that they are stripped down and the parts either sold in this country or exported. There appears to be a big market for Land Rover spares.

“We would urge owners of Land Rovers, and Defenders in particular, to be extra vigilant and note any suspicious activity around their vehicles such as people hanging around or driving past slowly.

“They should ensure their vehicles are secure and emptied of property when unattended, and that immobilisers and other security devices are activated. Preferably they should park the vehicle in a garage if they have one or out of sight of the road if at all possible.

“We would also welcome any information from people who may have noticed someone has access to different types of Land Rover Defenders or if they see an unusually large amount of these vehicles being kept somewhere in suspicious circumstances.”

Anyone with information about the recent thefts should call Sgt Paskin on 0300 333 3000, quoting the reference 431-S-291210, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.