Lock up, police say, as cars stolen across Doncaster

'Two in one' offences are on the rise in the town, with criminals gaining access to homes, finding car keys and stealing vehicles.

Some thieves are targeting high-end car makes - Audis, Mercedes, BMWs and Jaguars - to then on-sell. Others are stealing the cars to use in committing more crimes.

Doncaster-based Detective Inspector James Axe said Cantley, Bessacarr, Sykehouse. Askern and Scawthorpe were among the areas being targeted by thieves.

Det Insp Axe said police had made breakthroughs, arresting and remanding to people in relation to the crimes.

"We will continue to seek out and disrupt these criminals who think its acceptable to cause the public misery and make money from their criminal exploits," Det Insp Axe said.

Number plate thefts are also on the rise, Det Insp Axe said.

"I believe these number plates are being stolen in order to disguise the identity of stolen vehicles, as criminals hope to conduct their criminal acts undetected," he said.

He said there were steps people could take to reduce their chances of becoming a target to thieves.

"Members of the public need to remember not to leave their vehicle keys on display," Det Insp Axe said.

"Many offences are committed as a result of doors being accidentally left unlocked, or windows left open."

Det Insp Axe urged people to report information to South Yorkshire Police on 101.

"We are committed to catching these criminals, but every bit of information helps," Det Insp Axe said.