Thieves targeted locked van in Beckton on Sunday afternoon

CCTV caught lock experts breaking into a secured van on a Sunday afternoon in Beckton.

Last Sunday (Dec 2) at 3:45pm, a 41-year-old man parked his White Volkswagen van in Car Park E at Gallions Reach shopping centre.

The van owner left his vehicle locked and secure whilst he went to do some work at a shop unit.

At 4:30pm, he returned to find his satellite navigation system was missing while the passenger side van doors revealed that the locks had been damaged.

CCTV revealed a silver coloured Vauxhall Corsa type car driving up alongside the van and a man interfering with the locks of the passenger side and the rear side door of the van.

A satnav and a ‘Makita’ drill set were stolen.

Crime prevention design advisor PC Andy Whitfield says: “Always make sure that you lock doors, windows and sun-roof when leaving your vehicle.

“The first two places a car thief will look on breaking into a car are within the glove box or under the seat. Do not leave any belongings on display, even items of low or little monetary value.

“Many newer cars will already be fitted with an immobiliser and/or car alarm, if not consider having one professionally fitted.

“Electronic immobilisers, which prevent the car from starting, or mechanical immobilisers such as steering wheel locks, will also deter car thieves. Steering wheel locks are in-expensive and available from most car accessories stores.

“Lastly consider marking all your valuables with a unique identification number such as your postcode. These numbers can be linked for free to recognised security databases; like immobilse.com.”