London’s supercars under threat: Spate of Ferrari thefts has affluent owners scrambling to find secure storage and struggling to get cover

London’s supercar owners are under siege following a recent spate of thefts as criminals target their high-value motors.

The capital has long been considered the nation’s hotspot for flash vehicles, but in recent weeks it has become a hotspot for thieves using hi-tech methods to steal Ferraris.

In the last three months, owners have been scrambling to find secure locations to store their expensive vehicles following various social media posts from affluent victims who have called on the public to keep an eye out for their pinched motors, offering rewards to those who provide valuable information.

And insurers have responded to the rise in supercar thefts, with some owners saying they can only get cover for their vehicles in the capital if it is garaged overnight or they have a secure bollard installed on their driveway, irrespective of whether their motors have security features like trackers or immobilisers fitted.

London’s supercars under threat: The capital’s Ferrari owners are under siege as thieves take to social media to boast about stealing the high-value vehicles

The spate of thefts have accelerated in the last three months, according to Windrush Car Storage in London, a secret hideaway in the capital that offers ultimate security for exclusive motors.

On one Saturday at the end of May, the boutique vehicle storage service was inundated with phone calls from worried owners seeking security for their treasured cars as reports of Ferraris going missing across the capital continued.

Several were reported stolen around that time, including high-value 812 Superfast, 488 and Pista models. 

According to the Sunday Star, car insurers have told owners that the pinched vehicles are being shipped to Russia due to a shortage of new cars.

One Londoner commented on Reddit that their friend’s Ferrari was stolen in the middle of the night in the capital.

They explained: ‘The Met police have been incredibly unmotivated to even investigate, even refusing to ask for CCTV footage.’

Alastair Main, general manager of Windrush, said that weekend alone the business welcomed 20 owners and their luxury cars – most of them from the iconic Italian brand, which are targeted most commonly. 

‘Social media posts from owners alerting followers to look out for their cars, some offering rewards, prompted a number of people to bring their cars into our care,’ he said.

‘Some cars required collection from underground car parks, others were driven here, but owners wanted cars off the streets quickly and you could sense the urgency.’

On one Saturday at the end of May, Windrush Car Storage says it was inundated with phone calls from worried owners seeking security for their treasured motors

While some of the cars welcomed to Windrush had formerly been parked outside the homes of owners in some of the capitals more prestigious streets, others were previously kept in central London public car parks that fail to offer the security owners might have hoped.

That’s because many offer free access to cars, providing the parking ticket is used to exit within a set timeframe – usually 15 minutes. 

This allows plenty of time for unlawful visitors to gain unhindered access, which it believes could be a tactic used by criminals, Windrush says.

But it hasn’t been only private clients who have sought sanctuary for their vehicles at the secret storage facility. 

Professional chauffeur and hire fleets have also been contacting Windrush in droves in recent weeks hoping to move their cars away from prying eyes.

Tim Earnshaw, the founder of Windrush, says the rise in luxury motor theft started with Range Rovers being targeted, but now brazen thieves are going for the most expensive supercars they can find and then sharing videos of them driving the cars erratically online.

One thief recently shared footage of himself driving a Ferrari he stole using a jammer through the streets of central London 

The footage, which was posted by car_crime_uk, shows the alleged thief sat behind the wheel of the supercar wearing a balaclava and gloves 

One thief recently shared footage of himself driving a Ferrari he stole using a jammer through the streets of central London.

The footage, which was posted by car_crime_uk, shows the alleged thief sat behind the wheel of the supercar wearing a balaclava and gloves.

When This is Money contacted Ferrari, a spokesperson told us: ‘We are aware of the recent thefts of luxury sports cars and are collaborating with local authorities on the ongoing investigations.’

It comes after a string of thefts resulting from a ransomware hack of Ferrari’s IT systems earlier this year.

Tim Earnshaw, the founder of Windrush

Met Police said nine of the Ferraris were stolen in Westminster, seven in Kensington & Chelsea and one each in the boroughs of Hackney, Barnet and Croydon.

But police – and Ferrari – say there is no evidence of a link with the cyber attack.

The Italian sportscar maker’s spokesman added: ‘At the same time, fully understanding that protecting Ferrari sports cars from attempts at theft is of the utmost importance, we are working with our partner to promptly increase the level of security.

‘There is no proof of any link between the thefts and the past cyber incident.’

This is Money has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment on the rise in London’s supercar thefts. 

A spokesman for the Met told us: ‘Officers carry out patrols and operations across London in response to concerns over catalytic converter and keyless car thefts, using ANPR technology to identify stolen motor vehicles and arrest offenders.’ 

Owners of luxury SUVs are also seeing a rise in tyre damage from eco groups campaigning for them to be taken off the road due to their higher emissions.

When contacted by This is Money, the Met Police said: ‘Officers carry out patrols and operations across London in response to concerns over catalytic converter and keyless car thefts, using ANPR technology to identify stolen motor vehicles and arrest offenders

Owners struggling to get cover for supercars

Earnshaw says the situation has only gotten worse in recent weeks.

‘More supercars are going missing, and a lot of insurance companies simply will not insure one in London unless it is garaged overnight or a secure bollard has been installed on the drive irrespective of tracker or immobiliser, clients tell us,’ he explained to This is Money. 

It is certainly becoming more widespread as to ‘how’ to steal these cars electronically, quickly and (often) without trace. 

‘It’s worth noting that thefts take place across the city, including very busy, wealthy areas where car crime was always rare. 

‘It is not a case of not leaving your car anywhere seemingly unsafe these days, as even the most affluent areas are affected.’

And Windrush says it has seen supercar thefts very close to home having recently been made aware by a customer of a new Ferrari parked for just a few hours on the street disappearing without a trace. 

‘As the car was rarely in the location it was taken from, we can only assume thieves are actively on the street looking for suitable parked cars, what is surprising though is the swiftness of removal – this particular car had only been left for a relatively short period of time,’ Earnshaw says.

Windrush is a secret hideaway in the capital that offers ultimate security for exclusive motors

As thefts increase and car values rise, demand for Windrush’s service has never been higher, it says.

It’s underground secret bunker in London currently cares for 450 cars – a number that grows by the week since the the spring. 

The Met Police urges motorists to follow a number of steps to avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime.

‘Always leave your car locked and secured. 

‘Lots of modern vehicles fold in their wing mirrors when locked – so very easy for thieves to spot when a vehicle has not been locked. 

‘Take valuables with you when you leave the vehicle. 

‘Consider investing in steering wheel locks, pedal locks, immobilisers and tracking devices. 

‘Key fob protectors (Faraday bags) help prevent keyless car thefts. 

‘And consider installing driveway posts.’

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk