A South Hampstead woman has had her car stolen three times in the last five months, as figures show a 20% increase in vehicle thefts in Camden.

Nora has managed to recover her Lexus SUV three times using a tracking device installed in her vehicle.

“They typically put it in a parking lot out of the way and the electrics have gone all haywire when I get it”, she said.

The police helped Nora to retrieve the car the first time it was stolen, on July 20.

The vehicle was discovered in a car park in Birmingham ten days later, filled with electrical goods, including laptops and television screens.

The following two thefts occurred on December 10 and December 12. On each occasion Nora went on her own to retrieve the car from car parks within a 10-minute drive from her house.

She has recorded the thieves taking the car on her doorbell CCTV system, and she said it would only take them about a minute to break into her car, hijack the electrical system, and drive off with it.

Nora has requested more assistance from the police to prevent this from happening again.

“I have no doubt there will be a fourth attempt to steal the car, it’s just too easy,” she said.

According to the Metropolitan Police, thieves who have stolen cars will first leave them in secure location to make sure they are not being tracked.

A Met spokesperson said: “The tracker on the car has enabled its recovery each time.

"Officers have spoken to the victim and helped with some further crime prevention advice, such as using a steering wheel lock.

" At this time unfortunately there aren’t any investigative leads around possible suspects.”

Metropolitan Police statistics show a 20% increase in car thefts in Camden since October.

Officers have issued guidance to how people can help prevent their car from being stolen.

Advice includes locking the vehicle at any time it is not being driven; putting keyless devices in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag; and installing good in-car security locks.

Officers say drivers should be aware of possible car-jackers, park responsibly and watch for illegal tow trucks.