Owners of Landrover Defenders are being urged to be vigilant following a series of thefts across Surrey and the surrounding area since January, with incidents reported in Dorking, Tadworth, Cranleigh, Staines, Farnham, Witley, Alfold, Frimley Green, Ewhurst and Mytchett.
Officers are currently investigating more than 20 reports of thefts of Landrover Defenders, with mostly older models being targeted, in particular 1990-2005 models of the 90 and 110 type.
They are also investigating a number of other thefts in Thames Valley, Sussex and Hampshire.
Investigating Officer Detective Constable Kerry Whindle said: "We are currently investigating 23 offences and it is clear that these vehicles are being specifically targeted. We have also established that these vehicle thieves are mostly targeting older models which are not fitted with immobilisers.
"I would urge owners of these vehicles to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity relating to their vehicles. Can I also recommend that owners consider additional security measures for their vehicles, including steering or pedal box locks, alarms, immobilisers, hidden battery isolator switches or even something as simple as blocking your Defender with another car on the driveway."
DC Whindle added: "We are carrying out a full investigation into these thefts and hope that by reminding owners of Landrover Defenders of some basic crime prevention advice that we may be able to prevent further offences from taking place. I am also appealing to anyone with any information about any of these thefts to come forward straightaway."
Thefts include:
10-11 May Theft of a green Landrover Defender from Waterhouse Lane Tadworth;
8-9 May Theft of a green Landrover Defender from The Village, Ewhurst;
8-9 May Theft of a blue Landrover Defender from Buckhurst Road, Frimley Green;
2 May Theft of a red Landrover Defender from Andover, Hampshire;
24 April Theft of a white Landrover Defender from Tadley, Hampshire;
22-23 April Theft of a silver Landrover Defender from Dunsfold Road, Alfold, recovered in Bramley;
20 April Theft of a blue Landrover Defender from Etchingham, Sussex;
17 April Theft of a white Landrover Defender from Upper Beeding, Sussex;
17 April Theft of a green Landrover Defender from Aylesbury, Thames Valley;
14 April Theft of a red Landrover Defender from Salisbury Terrace, Mytchett;
13-14 April Theft of a green Landrover Defender from Horsham, Sussex;
7 April Theft of a white Landrover Defender from Framfield, Sussex;
29 March Theft of a white Landrover Defender from Hastings, Sussex;
26 March Theft of a red Landrover Defender from Wokingham, Berkshire;
20 March Theft of a red Landrover Defender from Woolton Hill, Hampshire;
8 March Theft of a blue Landrover Defender from Lewes, Sussex;
8 March Theft of a Landrover Defender from Oxford;
29-30 January Theft of a green Landrover Defender from Petworth Road, Witley;
22 January Theft of a blue Landrover Defender from Westcott Heath, Dorking;
21-22 January Theft of a Landrover Defender from West Street, Farnham;
20-21 January Theft of a green Landrover Discovery from Cranleigh, recovered in Cranleigh;
18-21 January Theft of a blue Landrover Defender from Horton Road, Staines.
If you have any information which could assist the investigation, please contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting Operation Rhapis or crime reference SH/13/2040 or, if you prefer not to leave your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For further tips on reducing vehicle crime, go to http://www.surrey.police.uk/keeping-safe/protecting-your-property-or-business/reducing-vehicle-crime
