Thieves target Land Rovers

Police have issued an urgent warning after a series of crimes targeting Land Rover Defender vehicles.

One was stolen, another stripped of valuable parts and a third damaged in Denshaw at the weekend.

PC Mark Clough has urged owners to increase their security: “It’s essential for Defender owners to take extra care. I would recommend using steering wheel locks and blocking the vehicle in with another car.

“They should park close to their property under security lighting, or park in a secure garage or outbuilding.”

Police believe the thieves may be in organised gangs looking for specific parts. In the latest attacks one Defender is believed to have had its doors and bonnet taken.

Another raid was foiled because the thieves cut through a wire and triggered an alert.

Police believe the thieves are using the M62, which provides rapid access to Manchester and Yorkshire.

The owner of a Defender who lost his vehicle to a theft more than 12 months, said: “These are highly sophisticated thieves. They know exactly what they are doing and each play a set part in either stealing the vehicle or taking specific parts from them.”

Another owner, who foiled a theft, said: “Everyone needs to remain vigilant. My vehicle had been interfered with to disable the alarm.”

The National Farmers’ Union confirmed it had seen a rash of raids involving Defenders in recent weeks.

Spokesman Matthew Gummerson said: “The Defenders are a very theft-attractive vehicle so every precaution should be taken to protect them.”