Concern as ‘car thieves’ using ‘scanner devices’ spotted on Hull streets
RESIDENTS have expressed alarm after “car thieves” were seen patrolling streets in Hull and allegedly using “scanner devices” in a bid to break into vehicles.
At around 7.30pm on Saturday, May 13, two hooded young men on bikes were seen loitering on Hartoft Road, near Bricknell Avenue, looking inside the windows of parked cars.
Later, in the early hours of Sunday, another hooded man was seen walking down the street carrying what residents believe to be a “scanner device” used to unlock cars by activating the car keys in people’s homes.
One concerned resident spotted the man on their doorbell camera at around 2.30am on Sunday. The footage shows the man carrying what looks to be a large electronic device that residents believe could be used to break into vehicles.
Speaking to Hull Live, the resident said: “At 7.30pm on Saturday, two lads on bikes with hoods up and only their eyes showing was at my car. One walked round and looked in the windows, but a neighbour saw them and alerted me.
“I sat up all night waiting for them to come back. A single lone man with a device walked past, holding it up in the air at 2.28am and I got it on record.
“Little do they know my car has a ghost alarm fitted and I have a special box to put my keys in so no signal will be picked up. This was on Hartoft Road off Bricknell Avenue and I want to make people in this area aware.”
Vehicle theft has been an ongoing issue in the Hull area for a number of months. Last month, two teenagers were arrested after an allegedly stolen car was used to ram raid an off-licence in Cottingham.
Humberside Police has warned residents to keep their cars safe after a rise in thefts in Hull. A spokesperson said: “Vehicle crime has a huge impact on people’s lives.
“We want to reassure residents that we do everything we can to identify the people responsible for vehicle theft and put them before the courts.
“We are committed to investigating crimes of this nature and bringing offenders to justice and will continue doing so.”