Car Stolen... Urgh!!
Discussion
Fully appreciate this is very unlikely to help so mainly a vent but some delightful youths decided to steal my Audi S4 Avant just before midnight last night. Both keys in a faraday box...but somehow they have not only unlocked it but also fired it up and disappeared. Stolen from Clapham in London last night, navy blue S4, black leather, sunroof, on 20inch ronal wheels with an RS grille so quite distinctive from other S4s.
Last seen 15 mins after being stolen at an address in Streatham (Parklands Road / Clairview Road) (via an airtag that has since been removed - wasnt hidden).
Police couldnt care less...as expected. If anyone has any bright ideas please let me know. Also has my newborn's (!) car seat base in the back.
Last seen 15 mins after being stolen at an address in Streatham (Parklands Road / Clairview Road) (via an airtag that has since been removed - wasnt hidden).
Police couldnt care less...as expected. If anyone has any bright ideas please let me know. Also has my newborn's (!) car seat base in the back.
Edited by PHAB on Thursday 30th May 19:27
Very sorry to hear this, lovely car and one of those truly s
tty things to have to deal with.
Not a great deal to advise - I just find it crazy that a recent thread on this very subforum depicts someone being chased by police for leaving a loud Google review, but car thefts are considered such low priority / unsolvable / meh.
The usual motives were always:
- stripped for parts
- used as a getaway ragger
- shipped overseas
- stolen to order
They're brazen, yet unsophisticated. Performance Audis have been targetted for decades now - you might find that other owners have pooled together somewhere on the internet to regale, reconcile and perhaps even resolve?
Hope the insurance dealings are straight forward enough for you, and you aren't too irked by the whole thing. Lord knows, I'd be staking out the last seen location like a weirdo.
tty things to have to deal with.Not a great deal to advise - I just find it crazy that a recent thread on this very subforum depicts someone being chased by police for leaving a loud Google review, but car thefts are considered such low priority / unsolvable / meh.
The usual motives were always:
- stripped for parts
- used as a getaway ragger
- shipped overseas
- stolen to order
They're brazen, yet unsophisticated. Performance Audis have been targetted for decades now - you might find that other owners have pooled together somewhere on the internet to regale, reconcile and perhaps even resolve?
Hope the insurance dealings are straight forward enough for you, and you aren't too irked by the whole thing. Lord knows, I'd be staking out the last seen location like a weirdo.
VSKeith said:
Horrible business.
They don't need to boost the key signal now.
Laptops with the necessary software can be had for low 5 figures apparently and they don't even need to plug in.
I think this is why newer Vag have everything locked down although even that can be ‘accessed’ now.They don't need to boost the key signal now.
Laptops with the necessary software can be had for low 5 figures apparently and they don't even need to plug in.
No help to the op but it’s either parked up somewhere for them to see if it has a tracker or it’s already in a container.
Edit: Why the f
k arent the police looking into it?Don't the ULEZ cameras pick up reg numbers as you go past?
The ulez cameras that haven't been cut down I assume?
Despite the big brother fears, I doubt plod have real time access to ulez camera footage, and certainly wouldn't have the resource to go look at it for a car theft (though I recall in the Milly Dowler case plod scanned thousands of hours of camera footage (after the event), which ultimately gave them the lead)
Anyway, I just came on here to give my commiserations to the poster, and also to wonder if the car is pictured at their Clapham address? My brother lived there for a while and I remember seeing far fewer country parks and far more chicken shops.
If that is the op's pad in Clapham then fair play to you and I'm sure your commiseration will be short lived.
Ian
Despite the big brother fears, I doubt plod have real time access to ulez camera footage, and certainly wouldn't have the resource to go look at it for a car theft (though I recall in the Milly Dowler case plod scanned thousands of hours of camera footage (after the event), which ultimately gave them the lead)
Anyway, I just came on here to give my commiserations to the poster, and also to wonder if the car is pictured at their Clapham address? My brother lived there for a while and I remember seeing far fewer country parks and far more chicken shops.
If that is the op's pad in Clapham then fair play to you and I'm sure your commiseration will be short lived.
Ian
Thanks for the messages....I have been walking past locked garages in the area with the key trying to listen for a beep of it unlocking... so I've defs ticked that box!! In the grand scheme of London car thefts it's very low value so can't see it being a stolen to order job or an organised crime lot. Probably parts I guess.
Unfortunately the police have bigger fish to fry which I do understand but agreed re Ulez cameras. Would be nice even if they said sorry mate last seen on M20! Then again reg probably changed similar time to them finding the airtag. Oh well.
Trying to circulate pics of it on local SW London forums but know its a gunner but for a miracle. Now the battle with Admiral over values....and the inevitable massive insurance hike. B#gger.
Unfortunately the police have bigger fish to fry which I do understand but agreed re Ulez cameras. Would be nice even if they said sorry mate last seen on M20! Then again reg probably changed similar time to them finding the airtag. Oh well.
Trying to circulate pics of it on local SW London forums but know its a gunner but for a miracle. Now the battle with Admiral over values....and the inevitable massive insurance hike. B#gger.
Quick VAG group cars are nicked constantly in my area and are typically used to enable further offences.
I don't work in your area but I imagine the Met work in a similar way as we do.
The person you spoke to on the phone isn't interested - their job is to record crime and identify if there are any immediate lines of enquiry. The Airtag was immediately removed, no other tracker fitted and I can guarantee that the original plates will have been pulled off and a set of false plates stuck on rendering ANPR useless. If it's been nicked without keys there will be no forensic opportunities at your address either - it doesn't matter how good a detective is, if there's no evidence they are going to struggle.
Your car just becomes another black Audi estate lost in the masses of other similar cars moving around the road network.
However, the traffic/burglary/proactive units will be aware, interested + looking (and it's typically briefed into surrounding forces as well).
Sometimes we are lucky and your car is seen parked up and checked out by a passing cop (I routinely check anything quick parked in communal/public parking for instance). Unfortunately on many occasions the car will be seen moving and end up in a chase/get stung/get rammed etc.
Best of luck and I genuinely hope this never happens to you again, make sure you consider what you replace it with as the scum who do this are not stupid and know that those who own a nice car that's stolen typically replace it with something equally as nice.
I don't work in your area but I imagine the Met work in a similar way as we do.
The person you spoke to on the phone isn't interested - their job is to record crime and identify if there are any immediate lines of enquiry. The Airtag was immediately removed, no other tracker fitted and I can guarantee that the original plates will have been pulled off and a set of false plates stuck on rendering ANPR useless. If it's been nicked without keys there will be no forensic opportunities at your address either - it doesn't matter how good a detective is, if there's no evidence they are going to struggle.
Your car just becomes another black Audi estate lost in the masses of other similar cars moving around the road network.
However, the traffic/burglary/proactive units will be aware, interested + looking (and it's typically briefed into surrounding forces as well).
Sometimes we are lucky and your car is seen parked up and checked out by a passing cop (I routinely check anything quick parked in communal/public parking for instance). Unfortunately on many occasions the car will be seen moving and end up in a chase/get stung/get rammed etc.
Best of luck and I genuinely hope this never happens to you again, make sure you consider what you replace it with as the scum who do this are not stupid and know that those who own a nice car that's stolen typically replace it with something equally as nice.
P0PC0RN said:
Quick VAG group cars are nicked constantly in my area and are typically used to enable further offences.
I don't work in your area but I imagine the Met work in a similar way as we do.
The person you spoke to on the phone isn't interested - their job is to record crime and identify if there are any immediate lines of enquiry. The Airtag was immediately removed, no other tracker fitted and I can guarantee that the original plates will have been pulled off and a set of false plates stuck on rendering ANPR useless. If it's been nicked without keys there will be no forensic opportunities at your address either - it doesn't matter how good a detective is, if there's no evidence they are going to struggle.
Your car just becomes another black Audi estate lost in the masses of other similar cars moving around the road network.
However, the traffic/burglary/proactive units will be aware, interested + looking (and it's typically briefed into surrounding forces as well).
Sometimes we are lucky and your car is seen parked up and checked out by a passing cop (I routinely check anything quick parked in communal/public parking for instance). Unfortunately on many occasions the car will be seen moving and end up in a chase/get stung/get rammed etc.
Best of luck and I genuinely hope this never happens to you again, make sure you consider what you replace it with as the scum who do this are not stupid and know that those who own a nice car that's stolen typically replace it with something equally as nice.
Great post and thanks for the info. It's easy to say "police aren't interested" but the reality is that there's not much that can be done immediately. Hopefully insurance will make the OP as whole as possible.I don't work in your area but I imagine the Met work in a similar way as we do.
The person you spoke to on the phone isn't interested - their job is to record crime and identify if there are any immediate lines of enquiry. The Airtag was immediately removed, no other tracker fitted and I can guarantee that the original plates will have been pulled off and a set of false plates stuck on rendering ANPR useless. If it's been nicked without keys there will be no forensic opportunities at your address either - it doesn't matter how good a detective is, if there's no evidence they are going to struggle.
Your car just becomes another black Audi estate lost in the masses of other similar cars moving around the road network.
However, the traffic/burglary/proactive units will be aware, interested + looking (and it's typically briefed into surrounding forces as well).
Sometimes we are lucky and your car is seen parked up and checked out by a passing cop (I routinely check anything quick parked in communal/public parking for instance). Unfortunately on many occasions the car will be seen moving and end up in a chase/get stung/get rammed etc.
Best of luck and I genuinely hope this never happens to you again, make sure you consider what you replace it with as the scum who do this are not stupid and know that those who own a nice car that's stolen typically replace it with something equally as nice.
jdw100 said:
Surely with all the cameras in london it should be easy to track a car?
They all recognise number plates. Type in the number plate and software will give you a map/route with times etc.
The thieves are professional and run a sophisticated outfit. They’re certainly not stupid and will be very aware of ANPR etc.They all recognise number plates. Type in the number plate and software will give you a map/route with times etc.
Guarantee, within 5/10 mins of being stolen, those plates were chucked and a set of false/cloned plates were stuck on.
Sorry to hear OP. No doubt it will be on cloned plates, however the RS grill might give it away to those that know. A dark fast estate just blends in too much. As others have said, luckily you were not harmed. I know how you feel..
What new tech allows them to do this now without needing a signal from the key even in a pouch or cage? I assume only older vehicles are at risk?
G
What new tech allows them to do this now without needing a signal from the key even in a pouch or cage? I assume only older vehicles are at risk?
G
timbob said:
The thieves are professional and run a sophisticated outfit. They’re certainly not stupid and will be very aware of ANPR etc.
Guarantee, within 5/10 mins of being stolen, those plates were chucked and a set of false/cloned plates were stuck on.
So - if AI is all it is claimed to be surely computers should be able to:Guarantee, within 5/10 mins of being stolen, those plates were chucked and a set of false/cloned plates were stuck on.
- track the known reg number until it can no longer be picked up
- at that point in time / location - look for a similar car with a different plate
- check that this new plate was not seen prior to that time
bingo - plate change detected...
akirk said:
So - if AI is all it is claimed to be surely computers should be able to:
- track the known reg number until it can no longer be picked up
- at that point in time / location - look for a similar car with a different plate
- check that this new plate was not seen prior to that time
bingo - plate change detected...
AI…? I think you overestimate how “with the times” the police are with regards to IT. One force local to me only stopped using a DOS based command and control incident management system literally just a few years ago…- track the known reg number until it can no longer be picked up
- at that point in time / location - look for a similar car with a different plate
- check that this new plate was not seen prior to that time
bingo - plate change detected...
Something close to what you imagine could be achieved with a lot of manual searching of various systems, but, without giving the game away, nothing is “tracked”. A plate either pings another camera or it doesn’t.
And don’t forget these are professional thieves. Do you think they don’t know where all the cameras are? You can quite easily see them as you drive past in normal every day driving once you know what one looks like - they’re not hidden. It’s entirely possible (or indeed normal) for a car to simply “disappear”.
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