11/05/2011
Ford owners in South Wales have been urged to be on their guard after a number of car stereos were stolen.
The overnight crime spree saw 10 Ford Focus vehicles broken into across the Cogan area of Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Thieves smashed the nearside front windows of all 10 cars before taking the CD radio units.
The latest thefts could create a surge in car insurance claims among residents in the area after several similar incidents were reported in the nearby town of Barry.
Officers believe the thefts may have been motivated by an urban myth that the radios contain an electronic chip which can decode satellite television receivers.
Penarth Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Owen said: "We have seen similar spates previously, which are linked to an urban myth about the radios containing a special microchip.
"Experts have concluded the microchip cannot be used in this way and the thieves are wasting their time.
"But we need information about who is responsible for stealing these radios and where they are selling them.
"They are probably offering these radios for sale cheaply and would ask anyone who is offered a cheap Ford radio to decline and call us immediately."
Inspector Owen added he wanted to reassure the community his officers were doing all they could to bring the thieves to justice and were laying on extra patrols in the affected areas.
