BRADFORD van owners are being warned to make sure their vehicles are secure after a rise in thefts of Ford Transits in West Yorkshire.

Officers are taking action after a rise in the theft of Transits of 2010 models or onwards.

There has been a 91.2 per cent increase in van theft across the force in the last six months. Of those thefts, more than 60 per cent are of Ford Transits of models from 2010 or more recent.

Most of those Transit thefts (72.8 per cent - or 268 thefts) are by ‘unknown’ means.

Police believe offenders are taking them without the key by using locksmith keys and jamming equipment and selling them for parts.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Thomas, in charge of Operation Hewton, said: “We are doing all we can to ensure that offenders are brought to justice and this includes working with manufacturers, partners and neighbouring forces to disrupt the market that supports this criminal activity.”