After thoughtlessly taking the day off yesterday, I returned today for my first ONE-2-THREE Show for May 2025.

For today’s programme we initially looked at crimes related to cars, but especially to car thefts, which seem to be on the rise.

That being the case it’s probably a good idea to ensure that any doorbell cameras you have are in full working order, a point that 36-year old EWAN VALENTINE from Solihull, overlooked deciding that although he was aware that the battery was a bit low, one more night probably wouldn’t matter.

It did!

The following morning his pride and joy, Honda Civic car had gone so police and insurance company were duly notified.

Within a few weeks, Ewan clearly needed a new set of wheels so hunted for a replacement vehicle of the same style.

Accordingly he set off to a local dealer where he found a very similar vehicle – indeed it appeared nigh on identical to his previous car, but with a bonus of 50,000 miles less on the clock.

So pleased was he that he happily stomped up the £22,000 asking price, especially since it was the cheapest vehicle on the forecourt.

However a shock was to come.

He probably should have been warned that all was not quite right when his phone automatically connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.

Then he discovered that his address showed up in the SatNav system.

After this he spotted a few familiar items inside the car, however the reg plates, Vin numbers etc., clearly did not match those of his originally stolen vehicle.

He promptly notified the police and drove the vehicle to the main Honda dealership in the area, where a technician pulled the physical key out of the cover of the original smart key, only to find that it unlocked the door!

The police and Honda technicians are said to be baffled.

Mr Valentine is confident that the dealer from whom he bought the car had also been duped nevertheless he’s now trying to get his money back and/or have the vehicle made legal again.

As yet it is unclear just how the insurance company will react.

Being a Tuesday, I was once again joined in the second hour of today’s programme by Margaret Mills who this week looked at the lost Spa at Wanstead, well “looked” is probably not quite the right word to use, since right now there’s no chance of locating the spa, since it really has been lost, or maybe never actually existed, so don’t even think about trying to find it yourself as you’ll just end up just wasting your time.

Better to just listen to what Margaret told me today on this subject, by clicking on the link below: –

Nevertheless I very much look forward to the pleasure of your company once again next week,
Scott