Masked Thieves Break Into Home and Steal Car in Southampton Burglary

Police are appealing for CCTV and dashcam footage following a burglary and car theft that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Southampton.

Officers were called at around 1:55am on Sunday 13 July to reports of a burglary in progress at a residential address. According to police, three men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas gained entry to the property and stole a set of keys before taking a white Hyundai Tucson from the driveway.

The suspects were seen leaving the scene in the stolen vehicle, which was driven along Elmes Drive, onto Munro Crescent, Stanton Road, and finally King George’s Avenue. Investigators are now urging anyone with CCTV, doorbell camera footage, or dashcam recordings from these areas around the time of the incident to come forward.

Community Reassurance and Crime Prevention Advice

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said:

“We are aware of the impact that these types of incidents have on the local community, but please be reassured that enquiries are ongoing as we continue to gather evidence in order to arrest offenders.”

As part of their appeal, police are also sharing crime prevention advice, particularly concerning a type of offence commonly known as a ‘vamoose burglary’. In such cases, offenders target homes specifically to steal car keys, which are often left near doors or windows, or accessible via letterboxes, or by damaging key safes.

In more extreme cases, thieves have been known to use fishing rods or sticks to hook keys through letterboxes before driving away in the stolen vehicles.

Police Offer Tips to Help Residents Stay Secure:
• Park your car in a garage if possible, or in a well-lit area.
• Ensure your vehicle is locked and the alarm or immobiliser is activated.
• Keep car keys out of sight and away from doors and windows.
• Install a letterbox guard to prevent fishing attempts.
• Lock all doors and windows, and ensure UPVC doors are properly secured by lifting the handle and turning the key.
• If your car keys are stolen, change your car’s locks immediately.

More advice on protecting your home and vehicle can be found on the Hampshire Constabulary website.

How to Help the Investigation

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or reporting online at the Hampshire Constabulary website.
Please quote incident reference number 44250311138.

If you witness a crime in progress, always call 999 immediately.