Written by Staffordshire Police
We are reminding drivers of campervans to be vigilant to potential thieves after a spike in vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in the Cannock and Rugeley areas recently.
We were called at midday yesterday (Monday 6 January) to a property off Church Street in Rugeley following reports of theft.
A grey Ford Transit campervan was stolen without keys sometime between 4pm on 5 January and 11am on 6 January.
The vehicle has a black roof and the word ‘Gemini’ in black text on both the bonnet and boot.
Two other instances were reported in the last week.
One instance saw us called on Thursday (2 January) to a property off Chestall Road in Cannock Wood. A van owner reported that thieves had been disturbed trying to start a converted silver Ford Transit. A man was seen running away from the scene and jumping a wall before getting into a nearby car with another man waiting in the driver’s seat.
We are investigating the attempted theft and would urge anyone with any information in relation to either incidents to get in touch with us.
Anyone with information relating to the Rugeley theft should contact us on 101 quoting incident number 261 of 6 January. Information relating to the Cannock Wood incident should be reported using the incident number 542 of 2 January. To report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
To prevent your van being stolen, owners are encouraged to:
- Always use a Faraday pouch for your keys to prevent signals being broadcast which could enable thieves to access your vehicle remotely
- Ensure keys are kept out-of-sight, ideally in a key safe
- Park responsibly in a well-lit area, ideally a driveway, or an area covered by CCTV
- Fit an approved steering wheel lock
- Have CCTV or a doorbell camera installed to cover the vehicle’s location.
For more advice, visit: Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | Staffordshire Police