Security warning to owners of high performance cars after spike in ram-raids across North Yorkshire

Police are warning the owners of high-performance cars in North Yorkshire to increase security and vigilance as part of an ongoing operation to tackle ram-raids and cash machine thefts across the county.
Cars like this AMG Mercedes are favoured by criminals.Cars like this AMG Mercedes are favoured by criminals.
Cars like this AMG Mercedes are favoured by criminals.

It comes after a spike in ATM thefts across the county and police say the build-up to these incidents usually involves the theft of a JCB or telehandler heavy plant machinery to forcibly remove the cash machine from the local area, a Transit-type van to transport it away from the scene, and a fast car, often using false number plates, as a get-away vehicle.

The preferred makes and models tend to be RS and S Audis, AMG Mercedes and M Series BMWs.

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Det Chief Insp Graeme Wright, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “We are doing everything we can to detect and deter such organised criminal activity.

“While the investigations continue, we are urging people who own high-performance cars to be extra vigilant and take every possible measure to keep their vehicles safe and secure when they are at home, at work or even on service station forecourts.

“It is important to keep keys out of sight, use gates and locks if appropriate and, if another vehicle can be used as a barrier, it all helps to make a theft more difficult. Old fashioned crook locks are also a very good tool in preventing vehicle theft for little money.

“We don’t want to scare people, but there are serious criminals on the look-out for these powerful cars and they will take advantage of any complacency when it comes to vehicle and home security.”

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He added that any suspicious behaviour involving plant machinery and in the vicinity of cash machines should be reported to North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 1, and speak the Force Control Room. If an emergency response is required, always dial 999.