BMW thieves have struck in Herefordshire villages with a number of thefts reported.

The German brand cars have been "particularly" targeted in a number of thefts in the Fownhope, Dormington, and Hampton Bishop area of Herefordshire recently, said South Wye police community support officer Tally Hunt. 

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Police are now warning drivers to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions with their vehicles, including ensuring that they are left locked.

Investigations are ongoing, PCSO Hunt said, and officers are asking for anyone with any information to please get in touch.

If you see anything suspicious, or see any vehicles that are acting suspicious, please inform the police. For a non-emergency, you can ring 101, or you can report information using the West Mercia Police website, via the contact us section.

Which cars are stolen most in Herefordshire?

Figures obtained from West Mercia Police by the Hereford Times via a freedom of information request show that more than 100 vehicles were stolen between January 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023.

This is the equivalent of a car, van or motorbike being stolen around once every five days in Herefordshire, on average.

According to the data, which covers vehicles reported as stolen, Herefordshire's most stolen makes of car were Volkswagen and Ford. 11 of each of these makes were stolen, with Ford Transit vans, Ford Focuses and VW Golfs being the most popular with thieves.

The Land Rover was the third most stolen make, with 10 examples of cars including Defenders, Discoveries and Freelanders being reported as stolen.

Other makes making the top five of stolen vehicles include BMW, Vauxhall and Mitsubishi, with the most stolen models of these being BMW 118s, Mitsubishi L200s, Vauxhall Astras, Vauxhall Corsas and Vauxhall Insignias.

Data collected from the ONS between 2008 and 2018 show that just two in five stolen vehicles across the UK are recovered and that three in four of them come back damaged. One in five are written off completely.