Some London neighbourhoods have been struck by an unusual crime spree – thieves targeting parcel shelves from vehicle boots. Homeowners in Primrose Hill, Kentish Town and Highgate have discovered smashed rear windows and missing shelves over recent months.
Criminals are believed to be focusing on these items as they’re simple to remove and can be rapidly flogged online for as much as £150. One casualty, who requested anonymity, revealed his Mercedes was hit at approximately 5:30am on July 12. The Highgate local of four years claims the break-ins are especially frequent on North Hill, View Road, and Church Road, typically occurring every Friday evening.
He alleges that criminals are cycling around on Lime bikes, shattering glass, and flogging the components via eBay. The 37 year old homeowner explained: “I got a notification to my phone saying that my car had been broken into. They smashed the windscreen and only took the parcel shelf.
“I subsequently found out that some of the neighbours had been through the same. I took my car into the garage to get it fixed on the same day, and the gentlemen said that he had four of my style of car with the same issue. He said that people were selling parcel shelves on eBay, and they were going out on a steal-to-order basis. They go and smash in the rear-view glass and steal the parcel shelves to sell them on. We believe they are using Lime bikes, smashing the windows and riding off.”
Other motors in the vicinity that have been targeted include Hyundais, Minis, Jaguars, and Vauxhalls. Residents are now taking the drastic step of removing their parcel shelves – which can cost hundreds of pounds to replace – and storing them indoors each night to safeguard their vehicles from criminals.
The anonymous local explained: “It is always shocking to hear these things, but it doesn’t surprise me. It is not only parcel shelves that people do these things with. Two weeks after my car was hit two of the neighbours were hit. I now keep my parcel shelves in the house. We felt it was safer to bring them in. All the neighbours are keeping watch for them.”
The Metropolitan Police highlighted the thefts on MetEngage, a digital platform delivering crime updates and neighbourhood information. Police stated on the website: “Having personal items stolen from your vehicle is an upsetting experience and we are determined to find and arrest those who break the law.
“Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you do not have access to one, try to park in a well-lit open space.
“Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme.”
The Highgate Society, a residents’ group “established for the public benefit” revealed: “There has been a spate of recent thefts in the North Hill area.
“Five times in three weeks thieves have smashed the back windows of cars, mainly in daylight, and taken the parcel shelves. Presumably, this is to sell them online where prices are considerably less than the manufacturers’ price.
“It is sensible to park in sight of a camera, if available, and one possible way to beat the current spate could be to keep parcel shelves indoors for a few weeks and of course not to leave anything valuable in your car.”
