Police Advise Motorists to Secure Cars Following Spike in Thefts

Police are calling on motorists to secure their vehicles following a recent series of thefts across the island.

According to Jersey Police, 53 vehicles were stolen in 2025, with every case involving cars that had been left unlocked or with keys inside or nearby. So far in 2026, officers report that 10 vehicles have already been taken under similar circumstances.

The force said officers may remove keys found in unattended, unlocked vehicles in order to “prevent a serious tragedy on the island’s roads.”

Chief Inspector Craig Jackson, from the response and community policing team, said patrols were being stepped up in high-risk areas. These include targeted operations using both covert and plain-clothes officers, contacting owners whose cars are insecure and, if needed, taking keys to stop opportunistic theft.

He said the initiative, known as Operation Handle, is designed to stop avoidable crime before it leads to serious harm. “Our goal is prevention — not waiting until someone is seriously injured or worse,” he said, warning that a stolen vehicle could easily be involved in a fatal crash.

Police also reported a rise in incidents involving young people taking insecure cars. Officers stressed that the crimes are entirely preventable if drivers lock their vehicles, remove keys and take valuables with them.

During checks in a known hotspot on Wednesday night, police found 19 vehicles unlocked, three of which had keys left inside.