Bolton and Bury hit by wave of 'brazen' Range Rover thefts

One of the cars was taken from a driveway on Watling Street in Affetside on Monday, February 21, and since then a wave of similar thefts have been reported by residents.

Range Rovers have since been reported stolen in Egerton, Greenmount, Fairfield, Ainsworth and further afield in Norden. near Rochdale, over the past week.

One owner, whose car was taken from outside her home in Affetside, said: "I'm absolutely convinced that it's the same people behind it and there's a pattern happening and a lot of Range Rover owners need to be aware of what's happening."

She added: "It just seems like its not just us it's happened to, we've had five or six people get in touch."

One of the Range Rovers was stolen in Affetside

In several cases, the thieves used a Honda Civic to drive up to the car they were targeting.

Another victim, whose Range Rover was eventually found after being stolen in Greenmount, said she believes the thefts are likely to continue.

She said: "There are a few lads in the area taking these cars at the moment, using a mobile hacking device."

She added: "They are very brazen and I imagine it will keep happening."

A video posted on February 21 the woman supplied, shows a car pulling up outside her house before a man gets out, goes through a neighbour's garden and climbs over the fence before breaking into the parked Range Rover.

Another Range Rover was taken in Greenmount

A second video shows them driving away.

This technique appears markedly similar to the one used by the thieves in Affetside where CCTV footage shows the two thieves driving up in a Honda Civic one man gets out to check the targeted parked car.

One man is then seen smashing the Range Rover's window and climbing in and driving off while the other then drives away in the Civic.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting incident 834 of February 21.

Alternatively, details can be passed via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.