Mercedes thieves armed with a tow truck

A gang of professional criminals has stolen millions of pounds of cars - simply by lifting them off the streets with a tow-away truck.

And these thieves are not interested in just any old cars. They have been specifically targeting E-Class Mercedes Benz worth up to £62,000 each.

The gang operates in west London and has stolen more than 40 Mercedes since August. It strikes at night, using a low-lifter vehicle to move the car out of its parking space - often outside the owner's home - without causing a disturbance.

One detective said: "We believe they have tools which enable them to break into the cars with minimum disruption. The vehicles are then lifted on to a low-lifter or into the back of a lorry and taken to a destination in London."

He added: "There is no glass left at the scene, suggesting there is little damage to the car.

"The thefts always take place in the middle of the night in quiet, well-lit, residential streets close to the main arterial routes including the North Circular and M4 which provide an easy getaway."

Having identified the pattern of thefts in Ealing, officers believe it is possible that neighbouring boroughs are being targeted in a similar way.

Once they are stolen, the Mercedes are shipped in containers to Europe or West Africa where there is a thriving market for used top-of-the range cars and where middlemen proceed to sell them on to unsuspecting customers.

Scotland Yard is now working with Europol and the National Criminal Intelligence Service to catch the culprits, and details of the stolen vehicles have been circulated throughout Europe. This summer members of another criminal gang who masterminded a £6million international car- theft ring were convicted. The "Gone In 60 Seconds" gang, whose trademark was ultra-fast theft, had stolen 144 top-of-the range cars including Mercedes, BMWs, Porsches and a Maserati.

Within days of being stolen, the cars would be shipped to Dubai before being sold on. They later emerged in countries including Pakistan, South Africa and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in west London the Motor Vehicle Crime Squad has been conducting extensive houseto-house inquiries to try to establish whether there are any links between where the victims bought their cars, or where they have them serviced.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We are appealing for witnesses who have seen something suspicious or someone acting suspiciously in and around Mercedes vehicles in their area to contact us. Perhaps you have been woken up by the sound of a tow truck late at night. If so, did you get a good look at the occupants? Can you remember the registration or colour of the vehicle?

"Have you seen anyone taking an interest in your or your neighbour's E- Class Mercede s recently?"

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 500111.