Airbags are latest target of raiders; CRIME: Police warn drivers after 30 stolen and sold on to garage owners.

Byline: By Leda Reynolds

DRIVERS are being urged to put the brakes on thieves who have been tearing airbags out of cars across Solihull.

Police say that in the past two months there have been around 30 thefts of airbags from cars such as Volkswagens, Seats, Peugeots and Ford Focuses in the south of the borough.

Now they are calling on drivers to take extra precautions by fitting steering locks which cover the wheel and keep their doors, windows and sunroofs locked at all times when away from the vehicle.

Officers say thieves are pulling the airbags from cars and selling them on to unscrupulous garages for around pounds 15 in a bid to make quick cash.

Dodgy garages are then charging people hundreds of pounds to fit the stolen airbags.

However, Stuart Knight, of the Solihull police vehicle crime team, said that there was no guarantee that the airbag would work properly should there be an accident.

He urged people to go to a reputable garage should they have a crash and need to get their airbag replaced.

"The value of an airbag is between pounds 350 and pounds 450 for a new one and people should go to a reputable dealership to get it fitted,"

he said. "People should never buy an airbag off an auction site or from someone in a pub otherwise they could find it doesn't work when they need it to.

"We urge car owners to follow these simple crime reduction tips which may prevent them from becoming a victim of airbag theft."

Anyone with information about the thefts should call Solihull police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.