Volkswagens targeted in major new car badge theft epidemic fuelled by black market

Crooks could be after your car’s badge of all things after a crime spree in London saw more than 70 car badges stolen over the course of four days.

The Metropolitan Police are confirmed to be investigating roughly 70 incidents between 15 and 19 July in which victims claim the front badge of their Volkswagen models were stolen. The logos contain radar sensors required for driver-assistance features – potentially worth hundreds of pounds on the black market – and can be removed in a matter of seconds.

Yet while the badges are straightforward to steal, the means in which the criminals executed the thefts appears to be far more sophisticated. One victim told The Times newspaper that she spotted a drone in her garden, the day before the badge on her brand-new Volkswagen T-Roc was stolen.

“It was highly organised, they knew exactly where every car was, so they’d obviously scoped it out previously,” the woman added.

In a statement, lead investigator PC Olly Rutherford said: “We are aware of a number of incidents in south-east London over recent weeks in which car badges, including the vehicle’s radar sensors, have been stolen. At this stage, around 70 thefts are believed to have taken place.

“Inquiries remain under way and we would ask anyone else who believes they have been victim of this type of crime to report the details to us

“Similarly, anyone who has information which has not yet been shared with police is asked to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

The theft of individual car parts, rather than the vehicle itself, is not a new thing; catalytic converters have long been the target of thieves, although analysis from Auto Express last year has shown that cases have recently dipped, with criminals choosing other parts to steal.

In early 2025, Porsche owners reported that criminals had cut out and stolen the headlights from their luxury cars. Adding insult to injury, MoneySuperMarket says that this pushed the cost of car insurance for Porsche models in London up by 22 per cent on average around that time.

In the meantime, the Metropolitan Police advises owners of VW vehicles – and any car with sophisticated ADAS technology, for that matter – to park in a secure, well lit location when possible and to ensure any CCTV or doorbell cameras watching your vehicle are fully charged and operational. Residents should also “report any suspicious activity, especially individuals loitering near parked vehicles during late evening or early morning hours”.

Auto Express has approached Volkswagen for comment.

It is not the first time that VW badges have been targeted. There was a spate of thefts in the UK and US in the late eighties after Mike D of rap group the Beastie Boys wore a chrome VW logo pendant in one of the band’s videos.

Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.