Police also issued advice on preventing your car being stolen
General view of Merseyside Police Headquarters in Liverpool(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Three men were charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles after an investigation into the theft of keyless cars which were stolen in Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and North Wales between April and October 2022. The suspects are 31-year-old Sean Fagan, of Whitney Road, Woolton; 37-year-old Daniel Johnston, of Ingrave Road, Walton; and 30-year-old Curtis Morrison, of Sparrow Hall Road, Walton.
All three men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court today, Friday January 17. Detective Sergeant George Easterbrook, of Merseyside Police, said: “We take all reports of car thefts extremely seriously and we are committed to reducing the number of offences in Merseyside.
“We understand the impact it can have on the victim, which is likely to be one of the most expensive items a person owns, is an upsetting experience and can cause huge inconvenience to the victim. This is totally unacceptable and we are determined to prevent as many car thefts as possible.”
The following advice could prevent you from becoming a victim of car theft:
• When locking the car make sure that any security devices are activated• Don’t leave car keys visible from windows, in back doors or where they could be accessible from a letter box• If you haven’t got them already, look to install wheel locks and hide the lock nut somewhere safe in the vehicle but not in an obvious place. It is better to take the lock nut with you• Park in well lit areas and consider where you are parking in the day if the car is being left there overnight or you are not returning to the car until dark• Where possible park in Park Mark Safer Parking car parks which have been approved by police• Don’t leave your car engine running unattended – not only is that an offence on a main road it is an open invitation to thieves• Property – including small amounts of cash, CDs, clothing or bags – should not be left on view in a parked vehicle. They may not be worth much to you but they are to a thief• When putting items into the boot of an unattended car this should be done before arrival at the intended parking place so that a thief cannot observe what is being put in the boot• If they can be removed, sat-nav systems, including leads, should not be left in vehicles• If you need further crime reduction advice contact your local neighbourhood policing team
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police added: “We urge anyone who has any intelligence or knows someone involved in this type of crime to contact Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC so we can investigate. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”