The Richmond MP has held talks with police about the alarming levels of car thefts in the borough, mainly high value Range Rovers, Porsches, BMWs and Alfa Romeos.

Sarah Olney has raised the issue against the background of her calls for the return of a police station for the centre of Richmond.

The Richmond Park MP has set up a petition, which is being supported by The Richmond Society, to back the call and residents can support the initiative by visiting this link - https://www.saraholney.com/richmond-police-station-petition

Social media in the borough has seen a raft of reports of car thefts in the past year.

Thieves are using high-tech devices to capture the electronic signature of keys to steal vehicles in a matter of seconds, while others have found ways to overcome security systems.

MP sets up petition calling for return of police station in Richmond

As a result, motorists are being advised to return to older security measures such using steering wheel locks.

The gangs involved typically roam the streets effectively 'shopping' for high value cars, which are apparently being shipped by criminal gangs to eastern Europe, for example, Albania.

Nationally, vehicle thefts are up by 30% in just the last two years and they are now significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to AX Track, which has obtained data from UK police forces.

The annual figure for London was 32,766 in 2022 – which equates to around 90 every day.

Nub News reported in December that Range Rovers have become a top target for car thieves across the borough.

Vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been stolen from the Kew area alone, while similar thefts of Range Rovers and Porches have happened in other parts of the borough.

At least one local victim reported seeing the thieves drive off in the car even though they were inside their home with the keys. Another received a series of parking tickets for their stolen car from a street a few miles away.

Following a recent meeting with officers on the streets, the Richmond Park MP tweeted: "Fantastic to be out today with @MPSRichmond discussing the important issue of car theft in our community.

"We are so lucky to have a brilliant local police force, and we must continue to support them by doing the right thing, and reopening Richmond police station."

The MP said: "Richmond Park used to be home to three full Police stations, but after years of government cuts, all have been closed, sold off, and redeveloped. Crime rates are rising across London, successful investigations are rare, and many residents tell me they no longer feel safe walking the streets at night.

"Now, after closing 108 Police Stations across London, the Metropolitan Police are reviewing their strategy and considering whether new sites will be needed in light of their increased numbers and the communities demands.

"As they consider their next move we need to seize this opportunity to show that there is an overwhelming local call for a site in Richmond."

The Richmond Society argues that bringing back a police station to the town centre is essential to 'restoring local trust in the police and demonstrating that they remain fully committed to keeping the peace in our streets'.

The organisation said that since the police station was closed in 2017 and turned into flats and a pizza restaurant, residents have reported a rise in anti-social behaviour, car thefts, and break-ins.