Witness appeal after three cars stolen from homes in Yateley and Church Crookham

We are appealing for witnesses and information after three cars were stolen from outside addresses in Yateley and Church Crookham.

Officers received reports that:

• A Mercedes-AMG car was stolen from outside an address on Du Maurier Close, Church Crookham, at around 3.20am on Thursday 11 June (44260275672)
• A Mercedes-AMG car was stolen from outside an address on Lymington Avenue in Yateley after the keys had been taken from the property at around 2am on Wednesday 10 June (44260273701)
• A Mercedes GLC was from stolen outside an address on Hilltop View in Yateley after the keys had been taken from inside the property at around 2am on Wednesday 10 June (44260273716)

We are aware of the impact that these incidents have on the local community, but please be reassured that enquiries are ongoing as we continue to gather evidence to arrest offenders.

If you have any information relating to the incidents mentioned above, including doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage, please get in touch by calling 101. You can also report via our website, quoting the relevant reference number: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Officers would also like to issue crime prevention advice, in a bid to help protect your property, deter and make life harder for offenders and prevent further crimes of this type.

There are a number of steps you can take to protect your vehicle, but it’s important to use a combination of methods and utilise locks and other items to deter thieves and protect yourself to the greatest extent possible.

To protect your vehicle from being stolen, you can:

• Keep keys out of sight and away from doors and windows
• Use a signal blocking pouch, known as a Faraday Bag, to store your keyless car keys
• Turn off your keyless fob’s wireless signal
• Use a tested and approved steering wheel / pedal / gear lock as a deterrent
• Tracking devices can help track down your vehicle and the perpetrator should it be taken
• Re-programme your keys if you buy a second hand car
• Use CCTV and lighting
• Park securely or use a garage if you have one
• If you can't park your car in a garage, park your car in a well-lit area – either on your driveway, or on the road under a streetlamp
• Make sure that your vehicle is properly dead-locked and that the alarm and immobiliser is fully activated.
• If your car does not already have an alarm or immobiliser, consider having a Thatcham-approved product fitted. Speak with your manufacturer before making any modifications
• Lock all car windows and doors as well as all doors and windows in your home
• Keep your car keys away from any windows and doors to prevent them from being "fished" through letterboxes or seen by opportunist thieves. However, make sure you know where they are in case of fire.

Further information and advice on how to keep your property and vehicle secure can be found on our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/