White Nissan Leaf stolen from Greenford driveway while both keys were indoors

A white Nissan Leaf was stolen from a driveway in Greenford early on the morning of Wednesday 23 September, while both of its keys were still inside the owner's home.

The car was taken from the UB6 area at about 6.50am, the owner said.

CCTV footage shared with UB1UB2 by the owner shows a man walking along the pavement shortly before 7am. He stops to look down at something in his hand, then walks straight to the car.

In the footage, the car door opens with no sign of force and the car's lights come on. The man then pulls off the driveway and drives away. It all takes a matter of seconds.

What to look out for

The stolen car is a white Nissan Leaf with a black roof and black wheels. Its registration is LR73VJL.

The number plates may already have been changed, so anyone in the area is asked to look out for a car that matches the description.

Anyone who sees the car should not go near it or the people using it. If the car is being driven, call 999. Otherwise, information can be given to the police on 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Metropolitan Police has not publicly confirmed any details of the theft or said whether anyone has been arrested.

How keyless cars are targeted

The owner said they still had both keys and do not know how the car was opened. How the thief got into the car and started it has not been confirmed.

Theft without the key is often linked to keyless cars, which unlock and start when the key fob is nearby. The Metropolitan Police calls this keyless car theft or relay theft. It means using a device that tricks the car into thinking the key is close by.

The force says thieves only need to be within a few metres of a car key to pick up its signal, even when the key is inside a home. This means a car can be unlocked, started and stolen even when both the car and the house are locked.

If you have to press a button on your key to open your car, the car does not have keyless entry.

How to protect your car

The Metropolitan Police advises owners of keyless cars to keep the main key and the spare well away from the car when they are at home, for example not just inside the front door.

It also suggests keeping keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday bag, and testing every few months that it still works. Owners can also switch off the fob's wireless signal when it is not in use, if the fob allows it.

Anyone who buys a second-hand car is advised to have the keys reprogrammed. A steering wheel lock can also put thieves off. Some makers let drivers turn keyless entry off in the car's settings, and the handbook or a dealer can say whether this is possible.

Anyone with information about the theft in Greenford can contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.