Police have warned drivers in Norwich to be on their guard after a spate of thefts.

Warning to Norwich drivers after spate of thefts

Dan Grimmer Sunday, March 3, 2013
6:35 PM

Police have issued a warning to drivers around Norwich, after thieves snatched a string of car parts from vehicles, including tyres, wheels and even a fuel tank.

A spate of thefts have happened around the city in the weeks since the end of January and police believe the culprits are trying to sell the parts on.

The thieves have been targeting parked cars all over Norwich and Norfolk police have appealed for witnesses to the crimes.

Police have also urged people not to buy second-hand parts offered at a fraction of the retail price, as they are almost certainly stolen.

The most recent theft happened overnight on Wednesday, February 20. when three spare wheels and a wing mirror were snacthed from vehicles parked on a garage forecourt in Aylsham Road.

One of the most audacious crimes happened on Frensham Road, on the Sweet Briar Road industrial estate. Between January 26 and January 28, the criminals used a welding torch to remove a fuel tank from a lorry which was parked outside a business there.

Between January 26 and January 29, the spare wheel from a Vauxhall Luton van in St Augustine’s Street was stolen.

A tyre and a wheel was removed from a Ford Transit mini bus in Paddock Street, off Heigham Road, between February 2 and February 4.

A wheel, along with wheel trims was stolen from a Ford Ka parked in Lawson Road, between Magdalen Road and Sprowston Road, at some point between January 29 and February 2.

And, between January 30 and January 31, light covers were stolen from the back of a Ford Transit van in Chatham Street, not far from St Augustine’s Road.

Superintendent Paul Sanford, from Norfolk police, said: “Quite often if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Parts and spare wheels should be purchased from reputable traders, if not you could find police knocking on your door.”

Anyone who witnessed any of the thefts or anyone who has heard about second hand wheels or car parts being offered for sale should call police in Norwich on 101.