‘It’s awful!’ Drivers warned of ‘thief epidemic’ as doctor has car written off

Drivers are being warned of a “thief epidemic” that is currently hitting parts of the UK. In the latest incident, thieves struck in Woodfield Close, in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, in the early hours on October 3 stripping parts off a Toyota Aygo.

Lauren, who asked for her second name to remain anonymous, said the theft was particularly upsetting as the car was a 21st birthday present from her grandmother.

She said she had kept the car meticulously with not a dent or scratch.

But then criminals struck stopping the doctor, who works at a Birmingham hospital, from getting to work on Monday.

And the car was immediately written off by insurers despite only being six years old.

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“I am shocked to be honest. It’s not like someone has smashed a window and grabbed a sat nav. Basically, half of the car has been stolen. It’s a small car.

“I have now bought a camera pointing at the drive. I think with this you just see the worst of the world.”

A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: “We were alerted to a car being damaged and bonnet stolen from a vehicle in Woodfield Road overnight on 2 October.

“Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website and quote 20/851100/22.”