A WOMAN has spoke of her shock and anger after her BMW was driven away from outside her home by thieves because of an apparent security problem with the car that was not fixed.
The 46-year-old owner, who asked not to be named, looked out of her window at the snow on Wednesday morning only to see her Series One Sport BMW missing from the driveway.
Checking private CCTV footage, she saw two men break into her £18,000 car the previous evening using what police have called a “sophisticated electrical device”, used to control the onboard computer to start the car.
This completely bypassed the need to steal the key, which was safe inside the house.
Despite a series of similar thefts causing BMW to offer a fix for the problem earlier this year, the owner said she was not contacted by the vehicle manufacturer.
She said: “I’m very angry because apparently high-end cars have been fixed but not mine. Why couldn’t they call me or write to say there’s something wrong? It was really shocking and scary how easy it looked.
“If I’d known there was a problem then I would have taken extra security measures. I might as well have left the key in the ignition – it would’ve made no difference.”
The mother-of-two is one of the latest car crime victims in Chingford, where such offences have spiked recently.
The number has risen from 12 in September to 49 across October and November in Chingford Green ward alone, compared to a borough average of 16.
Records show 17 motor vehicle crimes – including thefts from and of vehicles - were committed in October, with a further 32 offences occurring last month.
Police were criticised after closing an investigation into a man’s stolen car on the same day as the theft occurred last week.
The woman said: “It’s alarming. I think car owners need to be told about these issues because we end up as easy targets if we don’t know to take extra precautions.”
PC Darren Brand subsequently wrote to households in Chingford Green to warn BMW owners to take extra precautions against theft, including an extra car alarm or steering wheel lock.
He added: “This method has been used on numerous occasions recently and BMW are aware and are currently attempting to deal with the problem.
“We are conducting numerous operations targeting such criminals but would appreciate your help in reviewing your own car security.”
BMW has been approached for comment.
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