Police Issue Warning After Spate of Car Break-ins in Putney

German makes targeted for badges and underlying sensors

VW Golfs, Mercedes and BMWs have been hit by thieves. Picture: AI generated

August 21, 2026

Residents in Putney have been warned to take extra precautions after a spate of thefts from vehicles in Thamesfield ward, where at least seven cars were broken into overnight between Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August. The incidents, reported by PC Damian Catherall, highlight a crime pattern that has been affecting the area for some time and shows no sign of abating.

It was across this area that thieves targeted six vehicles for their manufacturer badges and the valuable sensors located beneath them—components that can be worth around £2,000 each. The affected cars were all VW Golfs, Mercedes or BMWs. Another vehicle was broken into by two suspects on high-powered e-bikes who appear to target cars where bags or valuables have been left inside.

PC Catherall said the pattern is well-established and likely to continue, urging residents to contact their dealerships for advice on securing badges and sensors. He acknowledged that residents would want to know what police are doing to tackle the issue, but explained that the realities of policing the wider SW area make routine patrols difficult.

Officers covering Wandsworth and Merton are responsible for more than 30 square miles, and by evening their resources are often stretched as crime increases throughout the day. This reduces the likelihood of catching offenders in the act. The thieves using e-bikes pose an additional challenge: many are riding illegal, modified bikes capable of motorbike speeds. Only a small number of specialist officers are trained and equipped to stop them, and those officers are typically deployed to robbery hotspots in busier boroughs.

Safer Neighbourhood officers, who work mainly on foot and in small numbers, do not replace response teams and do not work through the night. Identifying suspects is also difficult, as they usually wear balaclavas and gloves, limiting the usefulness of CCTV and forensic evidence.

PC Catherall said he regretted having to deliver “bad news,” but felt it was important for residents to understand the constraints the police are working under. He encouraged residents to lobby their MP and local councillors so that they can press police leadership for additional funding and resources.

Thamesfield ward covers the riverside stretch of Putney running from Putney Bridge down to the boundary with Wandsworth Park. It includes Putney Embankment, the streets around the Lower Richmond Road, the residential roads between the river and the railway line, and the neighbourhoods around the High Street and Putney Wharf. It is the ward that encompasses much of Putney’s riverside community, from the boathouses and pubs along the Embankment to the homes and businesses clustered around the High Street.

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