Police investigate series of 60 van thefts

Police are investigating a series of van thefts in the Lincoln area

Around 60 incidents have been recorded over the last year with keyless vans targeted in the city of Lincoln and surrounding rural areas.

Offences have been identified around Lincoln West Lindsey and North and South Kesteven as well, with some vans being found burnt out with their engines stripped.

“It is believed that in some reported cases offenders may be using other vehicles to look for vans, so we'd like to urge residents to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to keep their vehicles safe. We'd also encourage people to report any suspicious sightings of people and cars to Lincolnshire Police,” said a spokesperson.

The force has issued the following guidance to help prevent vehicle thefts.

• Ensure keys are out of view at home. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from homes by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox, so ensure they are kept away from the front door.
• If you have a car with keyless entry, make sure the key is well away from the car. If you have access to one, keep your keys inside a Faraday Bag or a signal-blocking pouch. 
• It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. 
• Locking a vehicle, even when filling up or parked on a drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Check windows or the sunroof have not been left open.
• Additional physical security like steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks can help to prevent a vehicle being driven away even if a thief gains entry. 
• Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, literally. So, if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – report it immediately.