Fellow Overhillers - beware (things taken from my unlocked car)

[HelBel65]

I'm at the top of the hill near the shop. Went away this weekend and left the car on the drive - unlocked by mistake. Came back to find the satnav gone (this was hidden) and all the parking change gone from the dashboard box - had just 'refreshed' this supply of course...

Obviously I should have locked the car but I'm just flagging this up as it was on the drive not the street, so rather than a casual walk by, someone has actually walked onto the drive to check things out....and got lucky in this case. Whether they would have gone as far as breaking in, who knows - I suppose I'm 'lucky' there's no damage to the car.

So, even if you have OSP always lock up. My first experience of crime in ED :-(

Helen

[tiddles]

There is a possibility that it was locked but they had a 'zapper'. A few months ago, four of my neighbours cars were done - with no sign of break in. I have since heard of several incidents very similar.

thanks for the heads up

[Blueskies]

Sorry to hear that. We are quite near overhill and our car was broken into on our drive when we were at home, but no sign of forced entry, our car locks after a certain time in any case but we are sure we locked it. This happened a month ago. Luckily nothing of value taken. It does seem to be happening a lot round here at the moment, seen quite a few other posts on the forum about this recently.

[HelBel65]

tiddles Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> There is a possibility that it was locked but they

> had a 'zapper'. A few months ago, four of my

> neighbours cars were done - with no sign of break

> in. I have since heard of several incidents very

> similar.

>

> thanks for the heads up

That's very interesting because I was very surprised that I would have left it unlocked to be honest. Mind you, if there are gadgets around now that can unlock a BMW just like that, with all its clever anti theft technology, what's the point of locking up anyway!

[ianr]

Mention of BMW reminded me of this thread, though I don't know if it's still relevant. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,989028,989140

[EmP]

Also had two bikes taken over the weekend from locked shed at the front if property. Clearly cased the joint as not obvious from street level. : (

[gibbo2468]

I had a similar experience about 6 weeks ago, I was convinced i'd locked the car, but when i came out the next morning it was unlocked, parking change & sunglasses had been taken (which were not on show) and they had clearly been in the boot to have a look as that swung open as I drove away.

I did ring Dulwich local police PSCO number to report it, as i thought they have a role to log local incidents like this, i left a message but no one came back to me.

I wonder if the theives just walk up the roads and opportunistically try car handles to find any open ones?

[HelBel65]

gibbo2468 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I had a similar experience about 6 weeks ago, I

> was convinced i'd locked the car, but when i came

> out the next morning it was unlocked, parking

> change & sunglasses had been taken (which were not

> on show) and they had clearly been in the boot to

> have a look as that swung open as I drove away.

> I did ring Dulwich local police PSCO number to

> report it, as i thought they have a role to log

> local incidents like this, i left a message but no

> one came back to me.

> I wonder if the theives just walk up the roads and

> opportunistically try car handles to find any open

> ones?

Yes I'm sure they do, but I wanted to mention this specifically because my car wasn't on the street but on the drive. Sorry you had a similar experience.

Police have been good....to be honest I only reported it because Tomtom can't or won't block the stolen device until they have a Crime Ref number - the PC who came over was very helpful and phoned later with the CRN knowing I needed it to submit to Tomtom.

[Pickle]

I go running very early in the morning, and on more than one occasion have seen people (not the same person) walking down the street, bold as brass, trying every car door. As I'm running alone I haven't had the nerve to say anything to them, but have reported it to the police when I got home. Once on Wood Vale, once on Cheltenham Rd, both about 6:15am.

[Elfy]

We live in West Dulwich and have had our (locked) car broken into twice with no signs of interference, etc. The first time something of value was taken. The second time, our (quite messy anyway) car was ransacked but the thieves obviously didn't like our taste in music. We've learnt not to keep anything of value in the car. Not sure how they do it, but they do it. (Neighbours have complained of the same thing).

[lillyanginger]

The same has happened to us on several (at least 4) occasions. We are in Herne Hill and the car is parked on the drive. Initially we thought we had left the car open - even though it should have locked automatically - but certainly not 4 times. What a pain... not that we leave anything of any value in the car but last time even the chewing gum went. I reported it to the local police team but they clearly thought I was too stupid to lock my own car.

Disconcerting to think people roam the street to rob cars at night...

[lane lover]

Sorry to hear about these situations, but I am still surprised at how many people leave valuables in their car - locked or unlocked.

I never leave anything of value in a car. Its just asking to be taken.

[NickyMark]

We live in Grove Park and had our locked car opened and rifled through last night. No sign of damage, so also presuming they have some kind of zapper.

[PN33]

Apparently a load of BMW's on a single estate in Uttoxeter were zapped open and robbed in a single night not long ago. Don't have a link or anything but I know one of the victims. SLIGHT flaw in the design!