Warning after rise in car thefts in Wigan communities

Residents have reported an increase in car thefts involving high-powered cars over recent weeks in Appley Bridge, Standish and Shevington.

One resident said she had her Golf R car stolen off her drive in Appley Bridge in the early hours last week and that people were “living on edge” and “terrified.”

The woman, who preferred not to be named, said: “There’s a huge increase in car crime in the Wigan area - Appley Bridge, Standish, Shevington.

“There are reports most nights at the moment.

“Our car was stolen off our drive last week at 4am by two men who entered our home. They are targeting high-powered cars.”

She then said a gang came back to her street after the burglary to target another vehicle.

While in another incident at around 3.30pm on October 3, a Jaguar was stolen in a targeted attack by a group of three or four hooded males wearing masks,

The men arrived in a black van, possibly a Mercedes Vito with false plates, with the group then smashing the Jaguar window and threatening the male owner to stay away before speeding off with the car and their van.

The car also had sentimental goods in it as well as work equipment.

Two Fiesta STs were stolen from Tesco in Wigan last month also, although the white Fiesta has since been found.

Now the woman wants to raise awareness as she said they are “stealing to order and know exactly what they are doing.”

She said: “I’d like the word to get out further so people are taking extra precautions.

“The three who were caught the other night were armed, targeting a high-powered car in Appley Bridge.

“The Audi they had pulled up in had been stolen in Ormskirk the previous day. The police recovered it.

“We are very much living on edge and terrified. I’ve lived here all my life and never heard anything like it.”

She added; “They are definitely stealing to order and know exactly what they are doing.

“There has also been reports of vans getting stolen too, possibly for that reason.”

Coun David Whittington, who represents nearby Parbold on West Lancashire Borough Council, said he was aware of organised car stealing to order.

He said: “I’ve been aware of this around Standish and Shevington.

“There have been problems in Eccleston in Chorley also.”

He added: “There does seem to be organised car stealing to order going on in the area and hopefully something can be done about it.”