Posted in the Evening Standard 10.7.9

Crime gangs who break into people's homes to steal car keys are behind a huge surge in burglaries in London.

 

The number of residential break-ins increased by 10 per cent in recent months - but in some London boroughs the number soared by more than 70 per cent.

Police say organised crime gangs see breaking into homes to steal cars as a less risky way of making money.

Thieves find that stealing car keys from people's homes is also much easier than breaking into vehicles and bypassing security systems. It is also less confrontational than carjacking.

The gangs are mainly targeting cars such as BMWs and Mercedes but detectives say some groups are also stealing lower-value cars for a lucrative trade in parts. Senior officers believe the trend may be linked to the recession.

Figures show a 10 per cent rise in burglary in London in April and May. But the number of break-ins which are linked to car thefts has rocketed by nearly 60 per cent.

There were 751 so-called car key burglaries in the three months from 1April compared with 481 in the same period last year. Scotland Yard has launched a major initiative to tackle the rise in burglaries under the codename Operation Bumblebee.

A report to the Metropolitan Police Authority states that the Met is mounting seven operations to target organised car theft gangs.

The initiative is being led by specialist officers from the Yard's Stolen Vehicle Unit. Operations include gangs operating between London and Essex.