bobby180
11-21-2006, 02:04 PM
Police chiefs claimed that a bizarre urban myth is fuelling a massive spate of car crime.
Criminals are targeting Ford car radios in the belief that the microchips they contain can be used to gain free access to satellite TV channels.
South Wales Police believe the bizarre and completely unfounded rumour is responsible for more than 200 thefts from vehicles over three nights in Cardiff last week.
Ford UK completely dismissed the idea that its car radios contain anything at all that could give free access to satellite TV.
Despite that, the myth has seen car crime in Cardiff shoot up to four times its usual level over the short weekend period. Police in Cardiff have now ordered extra city patrols and are focusing more of their efforts on car crime.
Chief Superintendent Bob Evans, of South Wales Police, said: "It works out that we had almost four times the recorded rate of car crime.
"We have spoken to all parties concerned, including Ford and the satellite providers, and can only conclude that this is nothing more than an urban myth and the microchip cannot be used in this way.''
Paul Wilson, of Ford UK, said: "We despair at this one because it is a real urban myth.
"It is not the first time such a rumour has surfaced and we really don't know where it comes from.''
He added: "There was a spate of thefts from cars in Cardiff last weekend and we have been trying to find the source of the rumour this time.
"It is based on the belief that there is a chip in our radios which gives free access, via a digibox, to satellite TV channels.
"I can say now that we have checked with our suppliers about this and there is no component in our radios which would allow this.
"It is a real urban myth and I would be grateful for anything the media can do to help stamp it out.''
Criminals are targeting Ford car radios in the belief that the microchips they contain can be used to gain free access to satellite TV channels.
South Wales Police believe the bizarre and completely unfounded rumour is responsible for more than 200 thefts from vehicles over three nights in Cardiff last week.
Ford UK completely dismissed the idea that its car radios contain anything at all that could give free access to satellite TV.
Despite that, the myth has seen car crime in Cardiff shoot up to four times its usual level over the short weekend period. Police in Cardiff have now ordered extra city patrols and are focusing more of their efforts on car crime.
Chief Superintendent Bob Evans, of South Wales Police, said: "It works out that we had almost four times the recorded rate of car crime.
"We have spoken to all parties concerned, including Ford and the satellite providers, and can only conclude that this is nothing more than an urban myth and the microchip cannot be used in this way.''
Paul Wilson, of Ford UK, said: "We despair at this one because it is a real urban myth.
"It is not the first time such a rumour has surfaced and we really don't know where it comes from.''
He added: "There was a spate of thefts from cars in Cardiff last weekend and we have been trying to find the source of the rumour this time.
"It is based on the belief that there is a chip in our radios which gives free access, via a digibox, to satellite TV channels.
"I can say now that we have checked with our suppliers about this and there is no component in our radios which would allow this.
"It is a real urban myth and I would be grateful for anything the media can do to help stamp it out.''