POLICE are warning owners of Land Rovers, in West Surrey, to be on their guard after a number of thefts over the last two weeks, where they have been stolen and used in other crimes. Thieves stole a grey Land Rover Discovery from a driveway in Woodside Road, Chiddingfold overnight on Saturday, January 19, when the vehicle was later used in a burglary in Petworth Road, Chiddingfold. It was then driven around a field and dumped next to a mobile phone aerial. The vehicle was left with considerable damage. The offenders also caused damage to outbuildings within the farm but do not appear to have stolen anything. The most recent took place from the driveway of a house in Wood Street Green, Wood Street Village, near Guildford, overnight on Sunday, January 20, when thieves removed the steering wheel guard of a red Land Rover Discovery and made off with it. The vehicle was later used in a burglary in nearby Normandy, from which thieves escaped with an Ifor Williams trailer and a quantity of scrap metal. The Land Rover was dumped in a field close to where the burglary took place. West Surrey Superintendent Duncan Greenhalgh, said: "Criminals are stealing these vehicles and then using them to commit other crimes. "We are carrying out extensive investigations to determine who is responsible for these thefts but in the meantime we are urging all owners of these vehicles to be on their guard and take extra security measures where necessary. "Measures include using a steering wheel lock every time you leave your vehicle, or fitting electronic engine immobilisers, which prevent your vehicle from starting and are the best way to stop thieves. "When parking at home, always use your garage if you have one, and lock both your vehicle and your garage. If you don't have a garage, try to park in a well-lit, open place. Alarms can also deter thieves not only from stealing your vehicle, but also from taking items from it." More information about alarms, immobilisers and other security devices is available by phoning the Vehicle Security National Helpline on 0870 5502006 or the Sold Secure Helpline on 01327 264687. Supt Greenhalgh also suggested etching your vehicle identification number onto surfaces and having your vehicle registration number or the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows, both windscreens and your headlamps. He added: "Simple measures can drastically reduce your chances of becoming a victim of vehicle crime and I urge car owners to work with us to prevent further offences."
