Teen punched in the face by masked men stealing her dad’s car in Shoebury

A 19-year-old girl was punched in the face by masked men as they stole her dad’s car in Shoeburyness on Tuesday 7 October.

The shocking incident happened just before 11pm on Church Road, when two masked men targeted a black Range Rover Velar (registration S321 WOB) that was parked on the family’s driveway.

Kaysie Gosling said: “My dad’s car was stolen off the drive last night by these two disgusting scumbags!”

Another family member, Gabbie Burt, urged people to stay alert, adding: “Please keep a look out for the car and be vigilant – it didn’t happen at 2 or 3 in the morning. These people are quick and efficient at stealing cars, and clearly this wasn’t their first time.

“Not to mention, they were happy to assault the young girl who ran out confused and tried to confront them.”

Watch the footage captured on door camera below.

A neighbours who didn’t want to be named said: “We’ve had a few car thefts around here recently, but this one’s especially frightening because it turned violent. It makes you think twice about stepping outside and protecting your property if you see something suspicious.”

What’s likely to happen next to the stolen Range Rover

Vehicle crime experts say organised gangs often move stolen cars to a “cooling” location nearby within minutes of the theft to check for tracking devices.

If no tracker is found, high-value vehicles like Range Rovers are often loaded into shipping containers at ports such as Tilbury, Felixstowe, or Dover, before being sent overseas to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, where they can sell for tens of thousands of pounds.

Alternatively, the car could be cloned with false registration plates and sold to unsuspecting buyers, or stripped for parts in a “chop shop”, where engines, panels, and electronics are sold off individually.

Police tackling organised car thefts

Essex Police say they have been stepping up operations to target car theft networks across the county. Earlier this year, the force joined the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership. This reportedly led to a 7% fall in vehicle thefts and a 50% rise in solved offences across Essex in the 12-month period ending in February 2025.

Essex Police say the force continues to focus on organised vehicle theft, using intelligence-led patrols, ANPR cameras, and dedicated vehicle crime units to identify and disrupt the gangs behind these offences.

Anyone who spots the stolen Range Rover Velar (S321 WOB) or has information about the theft is urged to contact Essex Police immediately by calling 101 or via a report on their website.

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