Thieves In UK Targeting Steering Wheels Of BMW And Mercedes To Steal Airbags

Thieves in the UK are targeting steering wheels of top manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Mercedes and Land Rover to steal airbags.

Admiral said the rise in thefts was partly due to airbag factories being affected due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AA described it as silent assassin as the driver doesn’t know until the car has crashed without airbag deployment.

Thieves in the United Kingdom (UK) are targeting steering wheels of top auto manufacturers to steal lifesaving airbags, a theft that has been likened to as a “silent assassin”.

BMW was found to be the most commonly targeted luxury car brand, a list that also includes other top manufacturers like Ford, Mercedes and Land Rover.

New data from Admiral claims the “biggest rise” in airbag crime was recorded last year. Its data shows a massive 68 percent increase in claims last year, compared to 2020.

According to Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral, the rise in thefts was partly due to airbag factories being affected due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She said thieves, who took advantage of a “supply chain issue” to make money, sells the stolen airbag to garage for between £200 and £500, adding that the latter charges customers a few hundred pounds more.

She said :

“You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it’s what’s inside they’re really after.

“We understand that they’re being stolen for the airbags housed inside them.

“Airbag theft is a relatively new phenomenon, as criminals look for new ways to make money from stolen car parts during the pandemic.

“In the last four years, we’ve received more than 500 claims for stolen steering wheels, with the biggest rise in 2021 when there was a 68 percent increase compared with 2020.

“The most commonly targeted cars appear to be BMWs.

“However our data shows that most popular makes, including Fords, Mercedes and Land Rovers have been hit.

“The rise in thefts has been higher during the pandemic as the factories that produce airbags have been impacted by Covid, either shutting down permanently or struggling to keep up with demand once they reopen.

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“This has resulted in criminals taking advantage of the supply chain issue.

“Once the steering wheel has been stolen, the airbag is removed and sold onto unscrupulous garages who fit them to cars for less than dealerships would charge.

“The garage might buy the stolen airbag for between £200 and £500 before charging a customer a few hundred pounds more.

“This would still be cheaper than the driver going to an authorised dealership, where it costs up to £1,000 to replace an activated or faulty airbag.

“If you’re having repair work done on your car that requires a replacement airbag, you should always have it done by authorised, reputable repairers, who only ever use approved parts sourced from specialist suppliers.”

The Automobile Association (AA) had earlier warned the theft of steering wheels and airbags were just the “latest dangerous crime”.

Edmund King, President of The Automobile Association, even warned it would be “the most serious” one as it is similar to a “silent assassin”.

He said :

“Airbag theft is in many ways the most serious as it can be like a silent assassin.

“In some cases, the driver doesn’t know about the theft until it is too late and the car has crashed without airbag deployment.”

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