I doubt it is a 'vast' number. Apparently it is possible to start a car via the diagnostic port using suitable software. I wouldn't worry. cars are still a lot harder to start than in the days of hot wiring. Anything can be stolen by a determined enough criminal. All you need to do is ensure that your car is not worth the effort.

Best thing you can do is fit a Ford badge on the bonnet and boot, that'll put them off

Vast is an understatement.

My 2009 Fiesta Titanium has been stolen. Police explained to me they had just seen the same thing in Canvey (I'm from Southend). We were then made aware of two others in surrounding aread (Hockley, Rayleigh) in the following days.

So far, this is my understand of the the process (what the police have told me):

1. theives will go to an area e.g. Sussex and take plates of vehicles they know they can steal e.g. a black fiesta

2. Theives will go to a different area e.g. Southend and drive around until they find a vehicle parked in a place they feel safe to steal it from the same description of the plates they have already stolen

3. Use their skills to enter and start the car without damaging it (I am yet to hear a way of avoiding this)

4. Drive the car to a safe location e.g. warehouse until they transport a truck load abroad, remove the vehicle numbers (VIN etc) and you or the police never see your car again.

The police were rather honest with me and said that because it hadn't been found abandoned and hadn't gone through any cameras I wouldn't see it again and explained the above to me as this is currently what is being investigated.

Spread the word! Get trackers, ensure alarms are on and avoid parking your car in an unlit, uncamered area.