MetEngage Alert - Fiat 500 thefts
We have started to see an increase in Fiat 500 thefts across the borough and into Kent. It is believed this is due to a demand in spare parts now race season has started, a trend that we also noticed last year. We urge all owners of Fiat 500's to consider a secondary physical lock that is secured by design (SBD) / Sold Secure approved. Drive way posts, full face steering locks, pedal locks are all great deterrents. Tracking devices such as air tags / cards also increase the chance of recovering stolen vehicles. Please share with any friends or family that own a Fiat 500.
We know the personal and financial impact of having a car or bike stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law. We will continue to provide you updates on how we are tackling this issue in your local area, but in the meantime, please consider taking the following steps to keep your vehicle safe:
- Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked.
- Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door.
- If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when its not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months.
- Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you don’t have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme.
- Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
Full advice and guidance on this, and other crime types is available on the Metropolitan Police website.
We hope the information above is useful and addresses to some degree the concerns that you have raised. If you have experienced this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.
Kind regards,
David Catlow
Metropolitan Police, Sergeant, St Mary's and St James, Sidcup, Longlands