CAR-N'T BELIEVE IT
My £70k Range Rover was stolen by brazen thieves but cops slapped ME with a £270 bill to get it back
Scroll down for ways to protect your car
A DRIVER was devastated when his £70,000 Range Rover was stolen - and stunned when cops slapped him with a £270 bill to get it back.
Andy Sacree had enough to stress to deal with after the luxury motor was nicked from his home in North Baddlesley, Southampton, Hants.
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Shocking Ring doorbell footage captured the thieves using a cloned key and speeding off in the early hours of January 5.
The 41-year-old company director immediately phoned the police, who later found the car about five miles away thanks to a tracking device fitted inside.
Hampshire Constabulary ran forensic tests but Andy was shocked when they charged him hundreds to recover his own car.
The dad-of-three said: "I had no idea I would be charged. They never told me it would be something they would charge me for otherwise I wouldn't have done it."
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Andy was originally told he could pick up his Range Rover and to call 101 if there were any problems.
“I was by myself and didn’t have any backup. I didn't know if anyone was armed," said the shocked motorist.
“When I got there, I found the car and I could see that they ripped some stuff out of the car, as they were trying to find the tracker.”
He then rang Hampshire Constabulary and officers asked him if he wanted forensic analysis carried out inside the car.
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A few days later, he was hit with a £192 recovery fee, plus £78 for the three days his motor was at the garage.
Andy said: “I don’t feel like I should be paying for this cost, for the cost of the towing of the car. I thought they would cover that cost.
“If they told me it would cost about £300 to remove it to do the forensics then I would have done it myself.
“They said that it is a cost I can claim back with my insurance but to think I would have to pay my insurance excess to cover this £270 and some of the damage to the car, I might as well cover the cost for that myself.”
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson apologised and confirmed any recovery charges will be paid by the force.
The spokesperson told The Sun: "Any recovery charges will be charged to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, and not to the victim."
This comes as concerning data revealed motor thefts rose by a quarter last year.
The AA warned motorists that thieves are increasingly using “hi-tech” methods, including key-cloning, to commit the crimes.
AA Insurance Services managing director Gus Park previously said: "These figures are in danger of getting out of control.
"If left to spiral further there will be big cost implications in terms of the impact to wider society, let alone the price policy holders pay.
"We urge police chiefs and crime commissioners across the country to create an action plan to crack the case.
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"Unfortunately, there is no one thing that can guarantee keeping your car safe from theft, but just making it a bit harder for the thieves can make it less likely that they'll go for your car."
Meanwhile, a map using this data revealed the UK's worst car theft hotspots - find out if you're at risk and how to protect yourself.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM THEFT
Fortunately, there are several things drivers can do to make their car more secure.
PARKING LOCATION:
- Experts have urged motorist to choose well-lit areas with surround CCTV security cameras.
- A website called Park Mark has been designed to help drivers find facilities approved for their car safety.
- If you park at home, driveways in view of the road are more likely to be targeted.
- Vehicle owners in high risk areas have been advised to consider installing a parking bollard in front of their vehicle.
KEY FOBS
- Never put your keys somewhere that’s easily in sight, and try and put them as far away from the car as possible.
- And, although it may sound obvious - always double check the vehicle is locked.
- Thieves will often capitalise on moments when drivers let their guard down, such as leaving their car to defrost in the morning, or when owners briefly go back into their house.
KEYLESS CARS
- Motor experts warn drivers with keyless tech, to invest in a faraday pouch or box.
- Available from around £5, you can put your keys inside and then seal the pouch or box, which should stop crooks connecting with any ‘keyless’ signals and gaining access to the vehicle.
STEERING LOCKS
- An obvious physical deterrent, and one of the most effective is a steering lock.
- Not only will these deter thieves in the first place, they will make it more time-consuming to steal the motor.
GHOST IMMOBILISERS AND TRACKERS
- Most modern cars are installed with an immobiliser, but extra precautions can be taken by fitting a ‘ghost’ immobiliser.
- This is a system by which a certain button or number sequence needs to be entered before the car will start.
- It means that even if someone has your keys, they won’t be able to start the vehicle without knowing the pin code.
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