Thieves executed a spectacularly efficient lightning raid in Chelsea to steal the high-tech wing mirror glass from 15 luxury cars in a single night.
The crooks hit three notably quiet streets in what locals affectionately call “Old Chelsea” late last Sunday evening, or sometime in the early hours of Monday.
They made off with car mirrors that will cumulatively cost their owners more than £40,000 to replace, in labour and parts.
The coordinated strike marks a sudden surge in an alarming new angle in car crime – targeting the highly valuable and easy to steal piece of electronic bodywork kit.
The Citizen is familiar with the location of the three adjoining streets, but is withholding precise details to protect the privacy of the victims and to avoid flagging up the area to other potential thieves.
One furious resident, whose BMW was hit, spoke to The Citizen the day after the raid was discovered. Upon his request, we are withholding his identity. He said:
“These thieves have spotted a new ruse and will be making a fortune. Sadly, Chelsea is the perfect area for these terrible gangs because our streets are absolutely full of expensive cars. How can you stop them?
“The mirrors can be taken in seconds and are worth a lot on the black market because they are jammed with electronic tech.
“I only had my new car delivered five days ago and then it was targeted. If I had stuck with my old 2014 BMW, I would have been fine because it just had a bit of glass in the wing mirror and nothing fancy. “
Chelsea is known for its discreet, tree-lined streets and, sadly, provides the perfect hunting ground for wing mirror gangs. The resident parking bays are filled with gleaming four-by-fours – often (and tediously) referred to in the media as “Chelsea Tractors”. Such cars are primary targets for thieves.
In Sunday night’s attack, the thieves systematically worked their way along the three streets, which are a short stroll from the King’s Road. One has a Met-operated CCTV camera high up on a post which was installed earlier this year.
Residents are hoping that this will provide some footage that can lead to the identities of the culprits. They are also appealing to neighbours to check for any door bell camera recordings that can shed further light on the raid.
The models targeted included Range Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porche and Lexus – a fleet of vehicles worth in excess of £1m in total.
The hit list of 14 of the 15 cars targeted by thieves
The glass in such vehicles is highly valuable because it is imbedded with advanced electrical technology for anti-fogging and heating to dry out water or misting. The driver’s side also has anti-glare and a dimming function to protect drivers’ eyes from bright sunlight and car lights at night.
The glass is wired into a car’s electronic system and replacing a pair of wing mirror glass, plus labour, costs from £1,500 for a BMW, up to £3,000 for a Range Rover.
Thieves can remove the glass in seconds simply by prising it off its plastic fixing with a screwdriver or knife, then cutting the connecting wires with pliers. By executing the theft gently, without rocking the vehicle, a car alarm will not be triggered. Even cars with an automated wing mirror retraction system are vulnerable.
-
- Protective covers over a damaged Jaguar
Car manufacturers have started producing wing mirror protective coverings which come with a lock and are made from anti-slash material.
Owners whose mirrors are stolen find themselves in an invidious position. They must accept the manufacturer’s official replacement part – which is always more expensive than a non-branded option – or face their car’s warranty being voided.
An added problem is that it is an offence to drive without wing mirror glass – punishable with three points and a fine.
“I am totally screwed,” said the BMW owner. “If I put in a piece of ordinary mirror and do not accept the extortionate rate for the replacement glass, I lose my warranty. And what is to stop the thieves coming back and taking the new lot? Nothing. I feel totally trapped. I am better off with an old banger. No one will touch that.”
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said: “Mercedes-Benz strongly condemns all forms of criminal behaviour. While our vehicles are equipped with a wide range of protective measures, targeted criminal activity can never be ruled out entirely. We recommend customers affected by any type of vehicle crime contact the police and their insurance provider.”
14 of the 15 vehicles hit were
Audi RS 7 2025
VOLVO XC90. 2019
BMW X3 2018
Porsche Taycan 4X2. 2022
Mercedes G580. 2026
Mercedes C class 2017
Range Rover Sport 2016
Range Rover Sport 2022
BMW M sport 320 touring 2021
Range Rover Sport 2025
Porche Macan. 2017
Jaguar F-PACE 2022
Range Rover 2023
Lexus
