Police are warning car owners to be on their guard after a sharp rise in vehicle thefts in Tameside.
VW Golfs, Audis, Range Rovers and the Ford Fiesta ST line have been particularly targeted, along with large vans such as Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters.
One stolen van from the borough was left abandoned in the middle of Lees New Road last Saturday afternoon, while two masked men on bikes attempted a carjacking in Ashton last month.
Theft of vehicles is at its highest level for fifteen years in England and Wales, with 130,521 reports of them being stolen in 2022/23.
According to the DVLA, 12,950 vans were stolen across the UK last year, an 18% increase on the previous reporting period.
“Please consider investing in additional security for your vehicle, such as a steering wheel lock and an immobiliser to prevent theft, and tracking devices to increase the chances of the vehicle being found,” said a statement from Tameside Police.