Victims left ‘devastated’ by £2m car-theft gang

Victims of an organised crime gang that stole mainly keyless ignition vehicles worth more than £2m have described the “devastation” of losing cars and vans.

Thirteen people have been sentenced after admitting to their roles in the operation, which saw 107 vehicles stolen from across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire between February and October 2023.

They were mostly stolen from driveways overnight and taken to a so-called “chop shop” in Surrey, run by another organised crime gang, to be stripped down for parts.

Passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court, Judge Nigel Peters KC described it as a “sophisticated conspiracy”.

The gang used signal-boosting devices to trick keyless ignition vehicles, making it seem as if the key fob was nearby and allowing it to be unlocked.

They also used so-called signal jammers to prevent the vehicles from being locked in the first place, with the owner not realising their key fob had not worked.

The gang members would then return in the middle of the night to drive the unlocked cars away.

One victim, Simon, told the BBC he was left “absolutely devastated” after his van was taken from the driveway of his Hampshire home in May 2023.

He had only just finished paying off the van after four years, which he had used to help friends and relatives, as well as moving goods to be sold for charities.

“The alarm was on, the doors were locked. My heart sunk – I felt sick,” he said. “It was unbelievable.”

The van, which he described as his “lifeline”, was later found dumped at Weston Shore near Southampton with the wiring ripped out.

Lee, who lives in West Sussex, discovered his van had disappeared first thing on a morning in March 2023.

“I just felt sick. I had so much stuff in there. All my tools are in there – it had all been taken away from me. It didn’t seem real.”

With £10,000 worth of tools stolen, he had to give up his work designing and installing fitted furniture and kitchens, losing an estimated further £30,000 in potential earnings.

“If you can imagine you’ve lost your mode of transport, you’ve lost your job and someone’s taken 12 grand out of your account, all at the one go,” he said.

“It really does have a long-term impact on you as a person.”

Among the victim impact statements read out in court, one man described how his car was packed for a trip to Scotland when he found it had been stolen in the morning.

In another statement, a victim said he was “very upset” after his campervan was stolen.

It contained items belonging to his late mother that were of sentimental value.

“It was irreplaceable – a memory maker, not just a vehicle,” he said.

Vehicles targeted by the gang included a Porsche and a Bentley.

Out of the 107 stolen, 61 were recovered, with many damaged or stripped for parts and 46 were still unaccounted for.

Cyber security expert Jake Moore said crime involving keyless vehicles was potentially going to increase.

“Modern cars are effectively computers on wheels,” he said.

“As we know, computers are vulnerable. These vehicles are impressively powerful, but at the same time we can communicate with them so they can be attacked with the right software and knowledge.

“The public are demanding these convenient vehicles that start at the press of a button – with that, you get security vulnerabilities.

“As the tech improves we have to be more aware of what criminals can do.”

• Use a Faraday box or pouch to store your keys and prevent reading of signals.

• Make sure your car’s computer has the latest protection software updates

• Many cars have settings that can be changed to stop using keyless entry

• It does not necessarily matter how far the vehicle is from the key – a relay device can still be used to copy the key

• Be aware of the risk that the technology can still be used when the car is parked away from the home – especially for certain high-performance models and makes that are targeted by criminals.

The leaders of the gang were jailed last month, having pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to handle stolen goods, and possession of criminal property.

Eight more were sentenced earlier for their roles in the operation.

Passing sentence, Judge Peters KC told them that as drivers and lookouts, they were “part and parcel” of the conspiracy.

“If you put your toes in the water, there is a great risk you’ll get nicked,” he told them.

Frank Bran, 23, of International Way, Southampton, received a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Brandon Cross, 26, of Bursledon Road in Southampton, received a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Jason Downs, 21, of Walton Place in Winchester, received a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Gary Kelly, 38, of Ringwood Road in Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset received a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

William Martin, 24, of Corfe Lodge Road in Broadstone, Dorset, received an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Billy Masters, 24, of Bramley Crescent in Southampton, received an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and possession of criminal property.

Harry Francis, 27, of Bridge Road, Woolston, Southampton, received a community order for handling stolen goods.

Matthew Watkins, 24, of Manor Road in Ringwood, received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Watkins had also admitted dangerous driving after a high-speed chase on the M25 reaching 120mph.

He eventually crashed into stationary vehicles in Reigate, narrowly missing two pedestrians.

Det Con Paul Beasley said the impact the thefts had on victims was “immense”.

“The devastating effect it has had on victims is right up to people losing their livelihoods and businesses,” he said. “Some people lost everything.

“They were using fairly sophisticated equipment. The level of skill and investment they put into it was right up there.”

Last month Ben Cross was jailed for five years and four months and George Berry was jailed for four years and eight months.

Bradley Paddick received a three-year sentence for conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

The partners of Berry and Cross were also handed suspended sentences, having admitted money laundering offences.

Rachael Moran, 31, of Bronte Way in Southampton, was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

Charlotte Traves, 24, of Newman Road in Bursledon, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 18 months.

She and Cross had also admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.