Drivers warned to 'stay vigilant' as thieves target campervans in Cannock and Rugeley

Yesterday (Jan 6), police were called to a property on Church Street, Rugeley after a grey Ford Transit camper van was stolen without keys. 

But this wasn't the only theft of this kind recently after the force received two reports last week in the Cannock area. 

Now, police have published a statement on their website reminding the public to 'stay vigilant' after noticing the recent 'spike'. 

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We are reminding drivers of campervans to be vigilant to potential thieves after a spike in vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in the Cannock and Rugeley areas recently.

"We were called at midday yesterday (Monday 6 January) to a property off Church Street in Rugeley following reports of theft. 

"A grey Ford Transit campervan was stolen without keys sometime between 4pm on 5 January and 11am on 6 January. The vehicle has a black roof and the word ‘Gemini’ in black text on both the bonnet and boot.

"Two other instances were reported in the last week. One instance saw us called on Thursday (2 January) to a property off Chestall Road in Cannock Wood. A van owner reported that thieves had been disturbed trying to start a converted silver Ford Transit. A man was seen running away from the scene and jumping a wall before getting into a nearby car with another man waiting in the driver’s seat.  

"We are investigating the attempted theft and would urge anyone with any information in relation to either incidents to get in touch with us."

Staffordshire Police also shared steps drivers should take to protect their property. It states that drivers should: 

• Always use a Faraday pouch for your keys to prevent signals being broadcast which could enable thieves to access your vehicle remotely

• Ensure keys are kept out-of-sight, ideally in a key safe

• Park responsibly in a well-lit area, ideally a driveway, or an area covered by CCTV

• Fit an approved steering wheel lock Have CCTV or a doorbell camera installed to cover the vehicle’s location 

Anyone with information relating to the Rugeley theft is urged to contact police via 101, quoting incident number 261 of 6 January or by contacting Crimestoppers on  0800 555 111.

Information relating to the Cannock Wood incident should be reported using the incident number 542 of 2 January.