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Car thieves turn their attention to Spain's new V16 emergency beacon
Police warn thefts from vehicles are rising sharply as the mandatory device becomes a new target
Spain’s new V16 emergency beacon, now compulsory for drivers, is fast becoming an unexpected prize for car thieves, with police reporting a sharp rise in thefts from inside vehicles since the start of the year.According to police sources, nearly a thousand reports have already been filed nationwide for thefts from inside vehicles and stolen V16 beacons since January 1. Officers say the figure is higher than normal for this time of year, even though they have not broken down how many cases are directly linked to the beacon itself.
“What we are seeing, especially in southern Spain, is a clear increase in thefts and break-ins that coincides with the widespread introduction of this system,” National Police sources explained. “Thieves know that every car has, or should have, a V16 beacon, so it has become another incentive.”
The problem has become particularly visible in Granada , where the Policía Nacional set up a dedicated unit after 109 vehicle break-ins were reported in just one month. A police spokesperson said the unit includes both uniformed and plainclothes officers patrolling at night in the most affected areas. “These thefts usually happen overnight, with side windows smashed in cars parked on the street,” they said.
Police in Granada have arrested 12 people in recent weeks in connection with these crimes. One suspect was arrested four times in a matter of days. “Because the stolen items are low value, the courts have not ordered prison,” police sources added.
Similar spikes in vehicle break-ins have been reported in other parts of Spain. In San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante, around 20 vehicles were found with smashed windows in a vacant parking area. Increases have also been detected in Alicante city, Madrid and Málaga.
The Policía Nacional stresses these crimes are not linked to organised gangs. “The people we arrest are usually men addicted to narcotics, mainly heroin, who are looking for something they can quickly exchange for a dose,” a police source said. Sunglasses, handbags and emergency beacons are all taken if found.
To help tackle the growing black market, police are urging drivers to write down the IMEI number of their V16 beacon, a 15-digit code that can be used to identify recovered devices. Officers also warn they will seek court approval to track stolen beacons via their geolocation systems.
With official prices around €40, stolen V16 beacons are reportedly being resold for as little as €5 to €10, often through informal channels, something police have already warned about in relation to stolen and resold devices. Drivers are advised to buy only from authorised sellers and avoid leaving the beacon visible inside the car.
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