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I wanted to provide an update regarding the theft of motor vehicles, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. A Kia Niro EV was stolen from a residential driveway overnight between 26/03/2026 at 21:30 and 27/03/2026 at 06:50 in Mitchley Avenue. The suspects unplugged the vehicle’s charging cable at 03:36 hours. The vehicle is keyless, and the victim still has the key securely inside the house within a Faraday pouch, meaning the key itself was not compromised.
The crime reference number for this incident is 01/7354802/26.
As a reminder, Faraday pouches are a useful tool for preventing keyless vehicle theft, but they do not last forever. The internal metallic lining can weaken over time due to material degradation, especially with frequent opening and closing. This everyday wear can create small gaps in the shielding, allowing enough key signal to escape for criminals to exploit. Another common issue is improper sealing—even a slight opening can reduce the pouch’s effectiveness. It’s also essential that both keys, including any spare, are stored in Faraday protection, as thieves only need access to one key’s signal.
Residents are encouraged to test their Faraday pouches regularly, for example by seeing whether the car responds to the key while it is inside the pouch. If it does, the pouch needs replacing.
 We know that people can be concerned about the personal and financial impact of having their vehicle stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law. Please consider taking the following steps to keep your vehicle safe: Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door. If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when its not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months. Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you don’t have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme. Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
