Warning after Toyota RAV 4s stolen in Derbyshire

Officers are warning Toyota Rav 4 owners to take extra precautions after 10 were stolen in the county.

Since the start of October, 10 of the popular Toyotas have been stolen from addresses across the county including in the Dales, Amber Valley, North East, Derby and South Derbyshire.

Investigations are ongoing into the occurrences and proactive patrols – in both marked and unmarked cars – are being stepped up.

Owners of the cars are being asked to take extra safety precautions around both how they keep their keys safe – and more traditional, physical obstacles to deter thieves:

•    Faraday Bags for keys

Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. This can be from inside a pocket or bag. If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you don't have keyless entry.

Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.

Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car.

How to protect your keyless entry car

-    When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car.
-    Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.
-    Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car.
-    Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.

Traditional ways to make your car less attractive to thieves:

•    Steering Locks
•    High Quality CCTV
•    Parking in a garage or with another car in front
•    Securing your car with a gate or a fixed post
•    Installing a tracker or tag

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to help with the investigation into any of the following thefts:

- 2 October – blue Rav 4 stolen at 3am from a house in Highfield Road in Ashbourne – 25*578596

- 7 October – blue Rav 4 stolen between 2am and 4.24am from a house in Main Road, Flagg – 25*588747

- 8/9 October – grey Rav 4 stolen between 7pm and 7.40am from a house in Model Village, Creswell – 25*593047

- 14/15 October – blue Rav 4 stolen between 10pm and 10am from a house in Haddon Road, Bakewell – 25*606182

- 15/16 October – red Rav 4 stolen between 10pm and 7.50am from a house in Coldwell End, Youlgreave, near Bakewell – 25*608017

- 24/25 October – blue Rav 4 stolen between 8.30pm and 7.50am from a house in Market Place, Crich – 25*626646

- 26/27 October – silver Rav 4 stolen between 3pm and 8am from a house in Church Street, Holloway, near Matlock – 25*629857

- 26/27 October – silver Rav 4 stolen between 12.30pm and 6.45am from a house in Harewood Road, Derby - 25*629528

- 27/28 October – silver Rav 4 stolen between 6pm and 7am from a house in Bridewell Lane, Hatton - 25*631611

- 29/30 October – black Rav 4 stolen between 5pm and 7.30am from a house in Lockton Avenue, Heanor – 25*636098

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/