Drivers in a car theft hotspot where crime is three times the national average have warned anyone with an expensive vehicle to 'kiss it goodbye'.
Locals of Bexley, south-east London say they are resorting to clamping their wheels and claim there are roads where 'nearly every car has a steering lock'.
It comes as new data suggests the capital is particularly bad for the offence, with 90 per cent of reported instances going unsolved - this compares to an average of 78.5 per cent across England and Wales.
And even a former police officer living in the area has spoken out to admit the level of crime is 'absolutely appalling'.
David Bowden, who lives on Glenhurst Avenue in Bexleyheath, said he had heard of four or five cars being stolen over a recent period of weeks.
He added: 'There have been a lot of thefts in this area, mainly targeting expensive cars with keyless entry.
'If you walk down this road you'll see that nearly every car has a steering wheel lock on. It's a big concern but you can only do so much to protect your car.
'I think the police could do more to prevent it. Once upon a time you would see patrols in the area but I think like a lot of things at the moment the police are probably under-resourced, so I imagine car thefts aren't their biggest priority.'
David Bowden, who lives on Glenhurst Avenue in Bexleyheath, said he had heard of four or five cars being stolen over a recent period of weeks
Peter Bleksley, a former police officer who lives in the borough, said: 'If you've managed to do well for yourself and got yourself a nice car you can kiss it goodbye round here, because the level of car crime is absolutely appalling'
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Mr Bowden also said he wanted to see 'more proactive patrols from police' to deter thieves. One of his neighbours, Maria, had her Mercedes stolen in October.
She said: 'We reported our theft to the police and they came round and did an interview but a few weeks later they told us "sorry, it's gone".
'Our neighbours had their Range Rover taken around the same time. Again, it wasn't recovered.
'They've since come round to the road with leaflets giving people advice on how to keep their cars safe. I felt like the police did take it seriously but it's just a big problem around here.'
Data released by the Home Office showed the capital's police force categorised 90 per cent of car thefts that took place in the four months to June 2024 as 'unsolved cases'.
The force conducted 8,861 investigations into car thefts "with an outcome recorded", of which just 80 - or 0.9 per cent - saw someone charged or summonsed.
A total of 7,996 investigations saw 'no suspect identified'.
Meanwhile, across England and Wales an average of 78.5 per cent of car thefts went unsolved. The vehicle crime rate in Bexley comes in at three times the national average.
Locals of Bexley, south-east London (pictured) say they are resorting to clamping their wheels amid claims there are roads where 'nearly every car has a steering lock'
Peter Bleksley, a former police officer who lives in the borough, said: 'If you've managed to do well for yourself and got yourself a nice car you can kiss it goodbye round here, because the level of car crime is absolutely appalling.
'Years ago you would never have seen a steering wheel lock on a car but now everyone is getting down Halfords because if you don't have extra security on your car it's gone.
'People want officers, either uniformed or plain clothed, out here stopping the thefts taking place or catching the unscrupulous organised criminals stealing their cars.'
A Met Police spokesman said: 'Unfortunately motor vehicle crime is an issue across London and the South East.
'In Bexley, the reduction of motor vehicle crime is one of our Borough policing objectives and we are investing time and resources in proactive operations and providing crime prevention advice as we recognise the impact these crimes have on the community.
'This work is starting to have an impact, and although we still recognise there is an unacceptable number of motor vehicles being stolen, and stolen from, there has been a reduction in these crime over the last few weeks.
'We have also recently arrested two males suspected of being involved in the theft of a number of motor vehicles.
'Our enforcement and crime prevention work will continue, but we would be grateful for any information the public can provide in relation to any suspicious activity.'
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