Cars stolen in ‘lock-snap’ burglaries – Gainsborough area

In the past three days there have been multiple burglaries and attempted burglaries in the Gainsborough area – and we want to warn you about the circumstances so you can take steps to keep your property secure.

In three of the incidents, the keys to cars were stolen from the property and the vehicle stolen. This happened on St Peters Road, Scotter, where an Audi A4 was reported stolen; Sterling Close in Gainsborough, where a VW Golf was reported stolen; and Hill Crescent in Gainsborough, where am Audi A4 was reported stolen.

A property in Heapham Road, Gainsborough was also targeted and a search made, but nothing was taken. Another property with a VW in the driveway was also targeted in Gainsborough, but the offenders were disturbed by a dog, and a further property targeted in Hill Crescent where there was an Audi A4 parked on the road nearby.

In all cases, the barrel lock on the door to the premises was snapped to gain entry. The vehicles being targeted appear to be German brands, but we would urge everyone who owns a car to think about their security. Officers have launched an investigation, and while keeping an open mind about the circumstances and people responsible, we are considering whether they are linked.

The vehicle stolen from the Scotter area was recovered by police in Thorne near Doncaster, and it will be returned to the owner.

Crime prevention recommendations 

• Look at your locks and see if they are old, and whether they fit flush with the exterior of the door. If they seem older, and don’t look like a flush fit to the outside of the door, consider changing them to a Secured By Design 3* TS007 Euro cylinder lock. You can find a local locksmith on the Master Locksmiths Association website.  
• We recommend Immobilise where you can log your valuables and record serial numbers – this helps in our investigations and means you are more likely to get your property back if it’s stolen.
• By becoming part of your local Neighbourhood Watch, you’ll be joining other like-minded neighbours who, by keeping their eyes and ears open, help to keep potential criminals out of the area. 
• For more information about reducing your risk of burglary, visit our website section on crime prevention.

Find out more about our Beating Burglary Together campaign which sets out our commitment to give an insight into how we tackle burglary, raise awareness of where incidents are happening, and provide crime prevention and security advice. 

If you have any information about any of the burglaries, or have noticed something suspicious in your area, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or report an incident via 101. Always call 999 if there is a crime in progress.