London’s supercars under threat: Spate of Ferrari thefts has affluent owners scrambling to find secure storage and struggling to get cover

London’s supercar owners are under siege after a recent spate of thefts as criminals target their high-end engines.

The capital has long been considered the country’s hotspot for flashy vehicles, but in recent weeks it has become a hot spot for thieves using hi-tech methods to steal Ferraris.

Over the past three months, owners have been trying to find safe locations to store their expensive vehicles following several social media posts from affluent victims who have called on the public to look out for their choked engines and offer rewards to those who provide valuable information.

And insurers have responded to the rise in supercar thefts, with some owners saying they can only get cover for their vehicles in the capital if it’s left in a garage overnight or if they have a secure bollard installed in their driveways, regardless of whether their bikes have security features like trackers or immobilizers.

According to Windrush Car Storage in London, a secret hideout in the capital that provides ultimate security for exclusive motorcycles, the spate of thefts has accelerated over the past three months.

On a Saturday in late May, the boutique hotel’s car storage service was inundated with calls from concerned owners seeking safety for their prized cars, as reports of missing Ferraris in the capital continued.

Several were reported stolen around that time, including high-end 812 Superfast, 488, and Pista models.

According to the Sunday starauto insurers have told owners that the trapped vehicles are being shipped to Russia due to a shortage of new cars.

A Londoner noticed Reddit that their friend’s Ferrari was stolen in the capital in the middle of the night.

They explained, “The Met police were incredibly unmotivated to even investigate, refusing to even ask for CCTV footage.”

Windrush general manager Alastair Main said the company welcomed 20 owners and their luxury cars over the weekend alone – most of them from the iconic Italian marque, which is most under attack.

“Social media posts from owners warning followers to watch their cars, some with rewards, have prompted a number of people to take their cars into our care,” he said.

“Some cars had to be picked up from underground car parks, others were driven here, but owners wanted cars off the street quickly and you felt the urgency.”

While some of the cars welcomed into Windrush were previously parked in front of owners’ homes on some of the capital’s more prestigious streets, others were previously parked in central London public car parks that did not offer the security owners had hoped for.

That’s because many offer free entry into cars, provided the parking ticket is used to exit within a specified time frame – usually 15 minutes.

This gives illegitimate visitors plenty of time to gain unfettered access, which Windrush believes could be a tactic used by criminals.

But it’s not just private customers who have sought refuge for their vehicles in the secret storage facility.

Professional drivers and rental fleets have also been reaching out to Windrush en masse in recent weeks, hoping to keep their cars away from prying eyes.

Windrush founder Tim Earnshaw says the rise in luxury car theft started with Range Rovers being targeted, but now brazen thieves are going for the most expensive supercars they can find, then sharing videos of them erratically driving the cars online.

A thief recently shared footage of himself driving a Ferrari he stole through the streets of central London with a jammer.

The footage, which was posted by car_crime_uk, shows the alleged thief sitting behind the wheel of the supercar wearing a balaclava and gloves.

When This is Money contacted Ferrari, a spokesperson told us: “We are aware of the recent thefts of luxury sports cars and are working with local authorities on the ongoing investigations.”

It comes after a string of thefts following a ransomware hack of Ferrari’s IT systems earlier this year.

Met Police said nine of the Ferraris were stolen in Westminster, seven in Kensington and Chelsea and one each in the boroughs of Hackney, Barnet and Croydon.

But police – and Ferrari – say there is no evidence of a link to the cyber-attack.

The Italian sports car manufacturer’s spokesperson added: “At the same time, fully understanding that protecting Ferrari sports cars from attempted theft is of paramount importance, we are working with our partner to rapidly raise the level of security.

“There is no evidence of any connection between the thefts and the cyber incident in the past.”

This is Money has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment on the rise in supercard thefts in London.

A spokesman for the Met told us: “Officers are carrying out patrols and operations across London in response to concerns about theft of catalytic converters and keyless cars, using ANPR technology to identify stolen motor vehicles and apprehend offenders.”

Luxury SUV owners are also seeing an increase in tire damage from ecogroups campaigning to get them off the road because of their higher emissions.

Owners struggling to get coverage for supercars

Earnshaw says the situation has only gotten worse in recent weeks.

“More supercars are going missing, and many insurance companies simply won’t insure one in London unless it’s in a garage overnight or a secure bollard is installed in the driveway, regardless of tracker or immobilizer, customers tell us,” he explained to This is Money.

The ‘how’ to steal these cars electronically, quickly and (often) without a trace is certainly becoming more widespread.

“It’s worth noting that thefts happen all over the city, including in very busy, affluent areas where car crime has always been rare.

“It’s not about leaving your car somewhere unsafe these days, because even the most affluent areas are affected.”

And Windrush says it has seen supercar thefts very close to home, having recently been made aware by a customer of a new Ferrari parked in the street for just a few hours and vanishing without a trace.

“Since the car was rarely at the location it came from, we can only assume that thieves are actively looking for suitable parked cars on the street. What is surprising, however, is the speed of removal – this particular car was only left for a relatively short period of time,” says Earnshaw.

As thefts rise and car values ​​soar, demand for Windrush’s service has never been higher, it says.

The underground secret bunker in London currently accommodates 450 cars – a number that has been growing by the week since spring.

The Met Police are urging motorists to follow a number of steps to avoid falling victim to these types of crimes.

Always leave your car locked and secured.

‘Many modern cars fold their wing mirrors when locked – so very easy for thieves to see when a car is unlocked.

“Take valuables with you when you leave the vehicle.

‘Consider investing in steering wheel locks, pedal locks, immobilizers and tracking devices.

“Keychain guards (Faraday bags) help prevent keyless car thefts.

“And consider installing driveway posts.”