The Metropolitan Police are investigating around 70 incidents of Volkswagen car badge thefts that occurred over a four-day period in July, with owners being urged to remain vigilant. Victims reported the front badges of their Volkswagen models being stolen between 15 and 19 July, according to the force.
Drone spotted before theft
One victim told The Times newspaper that she saw a drone in her garden the day before the badge on her brand-new Volkswagen T-Roc was stolen. She described the operation as “highly organised,” adding that the thieves “knew exactly where every car was, so they’d obviously scoped it out previously.”
Lead investigator PC Olly Rutherford said in a statement: “We are aware of a number of incidents in south-east London over recent weeks in which car badges, including the vehicle’s radar sensors, have been stolen. At this stage, around 70 thefts are believed to have taken place.”
Police appeal for information
Rutherford added: “Inquiries remain under way and we would ask anyone else who believes they have been victim of this type of crime to report the details to us. Similarly, anyone who has information which has not yet been shared with police is asked to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
The thefts are concentrated mainly within limited areas of London, according to a Volkswagen spokesman. The company confirmed it is offering financial assistance to customers through its dealer network and advised those affected to log the incident with the police and with their local Volkswagen retailer.
Radar units are single-use
A former VW technician told Autocar that in similar cases, the size of VW’s contribution may be linked to a car’s service history, with full main dealer history attracting greater support. The technician criticised the lack of publicity about the radar units, saying: “The cost is one thing but it’s the fact that VW has not publicised the fact that these radar units are single-use devices that cannot simply be fitted to another VW that frustrates me. If they did, it might put off the thieves.”
Volkswagen said that to date, only a few hundred badges had been stolen, with thefts concentrated mainly within limited areas of London. The company is offering financial assistance through its dealer network, and affected customers are advised to report incidents to the police and their local retailer.
