Our beautiful ford Duetto has been stolen!

Please be aware if anyone sees, or is offered, a mid blue 2010 ford transit duetto. Ours was stolen yesterday from our driveway and we are truly heartbroken. Immaculate inside with Avtex tv, DVDs, satellite speakers, sub woofer and amplifier. Also has a solar panel... I know this is a long shot, but I am hoping you will be on your guard.
Answer to the person who posted the question about the year the last Duetto was made.. Answer is 2010.. Only 12 of this model were made and our stolen one was the last off of the line! Gutted... If you can help please let me know, and many thanks in advance for your members help.

So sorry to hear your news.

I'm sure members will keep their eyes peeled, as will I.

Jollywalker

Gutted for you. Can't imagine how you're feeling. Post it on Facebook and people will share.

Once again really sorry to hear this news, does the van have any distinguishing features, bike racks, awnings, stickers etc. I am a volunteer with Devon and Cornwall police and happy to flag it up for you. What was the registration, it will probably be different now but who knows?

Sorry to hear this. We will keep a look out and maybe any parts that might come up for sale. The more people that know the better.

Thank you all so much..registration number is.. HX60EXJ. We replaced the manual step which was standard, to an electric Omnistep.. No awning fitted, solar panel fitted too. No other distinguishing marks but we kept it immaculate inside and out. I will try and post a picture if I can..I have posted on Facebook and it has been shared so let's just hope we get lucky! Keep you posted and thanks again..

Sorry but cannot seem to post a picture but there is a 2010 auto sleeper picture on the RV website which is exactly like our stolen one which gave me palpitations! But it isn't ours sadly... Ours has done around 25,000 miles.

How awful....post it everywhere! I am not on Facebook but I am happy to share the details on Twitter.

There is a Facebook group called Stolen Motorhome Database. Post details on there.

Definitely will do.. I didn't know of that.. Thanks

Sorry to hear that.

Did you have any security on it - wheel clamp, disclok etc?

No hindsight is a wonderful thing eh... It was parked in our driveway..

If you have a photo on FB you can highlight it then copy and paste on here.

Susieb wrote:No  hindsight is a wonderful thing eh... It was parked in our driveway..

It's unfortunate but with all the modern technology these days thieves actually have an easier time of stealing vehicles as they can buy gizmo's that plug in and get around immobilisors etc, so going back to old style mechanical deterrents is the best thing.

Hope you get it back.

This warning regarding Transit based vehicles was issued by Yorkshire police on 25th June..








West Yorkshire Police - Wakefield Central
25 June at 18:57 ·
The theft of Transit-style vans across the Yorkshire region is an issue that all owners of these vehicles should be aware of.
A majority of these thefts have been of vehicles with keyless entry, where an electronic device is used to read and mimic the signal sent by the remote, or simply jam the vehicle's electronic security.
While our officers will continue to target these criminals we would urge owners to consider additional security systems, such as steering wheel locks, w...hich will help to prevent your vehicle from being taken. Don't assume your vehicle has locked properly using a key fob lock. Criminals can use devices which block the signal. Always check your doors are locked before leaving your vehicle unattended. If you have a garage, use it. If your van is parked on a driveway, consider installing security lighting. If neither of these apply, try to park in well lit areas.
Anyone with concerns about their vehicle is advised to contact their dealer, who will be able to advise on the best way to keep your vehicle secure.

You can also get devices that protect the OBD Port (the socket that the thieves plug their device into to clone a key.

http://www.protectavan.co.uk/content/ecuobd-protection-device

I've just tried every vehicle in their list and the only ones I can find that they make this OBD protector for are Landrovers and Rangerovers. Doesn't look as if they are available for any base vehicle that AS use.

Just need to search for the vehicle list at the bottom of the first page.

eg http://www.protectavan.co.uk/vehicles/ford/transit-2006-2013-ecuobd-protection-device

There are loads of simple versions on google though. You can even make a basic one from a piece of metal with some bolts that cover the front of the OBD port.

Sorry, I selected vehicle first to see what showed available for each model, doing it that way didn't show the OBD guard for our base vehicles. I see a different type (ECU shield ) is available for Merc Sprinters. Nothing for Boxers though. Transits seem to be the thieves choice of vehicle though, I believe its the engines they want unless stolen for resale over the water.

To be fair, a good old mechanical device is probably best anyway.

A combination of 2 types from disklok, pedal claw, wheel clamp etc would probably make the vehicle too much hassle to bother with for most thieves.

Also trackers are so cheap nowadays, you can fit a basic one for about 30 quid that you put a pay as you go SIM in and it will text you the location of the van when requested.

No news yet folks and it's been three days... Does this mean that it's probably gone, gone!?

Susieb wrote:No news yet folks and it's been three days... Does this mean that it's probably gone, gone!?

It's impossible to know, as there are various ways that the criminal groups operate - some will try to get it out of the country within hours, others will start dismantling within hours. Others may stash it somewhere for days/weeks in case it has a tracker. Was it stolen with keys after a break-in?

No break in suggested but we still have our two sets of keys! We are at a loss..

What a horrible thing to happen. Hope it gets back home safely

So so sorry you have had your pride and joy stolen, really feel for you. We are doing a lot of miles at the mo so have written your reg on a sticky note on the dash just in case. Unlikely but you never know. Presume the police would monitor their NPR network or would that be too obvious for them (or too much effort ).
Really hope you get some good news