Car crime rising
Vehicle thefts likely to continue increasing as cost if living crisis deepens
Car theft rose by 29%in the twelve months between September 2021 and 2022.
That’s the conclusion of new figures provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
On top of this, the cost of living crisis could make the situation worse going forward.
Rising appeal
This is Money earlier this month revealed which 10 cars were most often stolen last year, with one model seeing a 53 per cent rise in thefts.
Security experts warned that a shortage of vehicle parts is making mainstream cars more tempting for professional thieves.
The ONS’s latest statistics show that just over 72,000 vehicles of all types were reported stolen in the 12-month period to September 2022.
It was also pointed out that there was a 14% rise in vehicle crime of all types. This includes theft of items from inside cars and vans, taking the total to 391,613 cases over the year.
Older cars are still being targeted by thieves using ‘smash and grab’ techniques. Meanwhile, modern vehicles are more commonly stolen by seasoned professional gangs using keyless technology to steal cars parked on the owners’ driveways.
“As the cost of living crisis deepens, more people are tempted into criminal activities to make ends meet,” says a spokesperson for The AA. “Car crime [is] near the top of illegal activity.’
It added that while theft from vehicles tends to be opportunistic, the theft of vehicles are commonly planned attacks.
Higher-end stolen vehicles are often shipped abroad, sold to order on the black market or disassembled for spares and parts.
Thieving festival
According to analysis by This is Money, the Ford Fiesta was the most stolen car model in 2022. Thefts increased 53% on the previous year.
It isn’t a shock to see the Fiesta at the top of the theft standings, after all it is the most-owned car in Britain. There are over 1.5 million currently registered on the road in the UK.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures show 5,979 Fiestas were reported stolen last year, compared to 3,909 in 2021. It means a criminal made off with one every 88 minutes on average.
With the model soon to be discontinued, second-hand prices have risen. This could lead to the car being targeted even more in the coming months.
This Is Money analysis
“Vehicle theft is rising very steeply,: says Gus Park, managing director of AA Insurance Services. “We are worried that more cars will be taken this year as gangs continue to attack innocent drivers in by taking their prized possessions.
“There are many steps people can take to protect their car and there are many security measures and products to meet every budget.
“For example, using a crook lock makes a massive difference, as it will often cause the thief to move on to the next easier target rather than taking the time and trouble to break into the car and remove it.
“If you have a car with keyless entry, putting the spare key to sleep when not in use, de-activating the keyless entry or putting your key in a Faraday pouch can make a big difference in keeping relay theft at bay.’
Bristol Street Motors has spotted that searches for ‘steering wheel locks’ are up a staggering 83% compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, 50% more users are searching for guidance on the ‘best steering wheel lock’, and searches for ‘car alarm’ have increased by 23%.
Premium appeal
In second place in the car theft league is the Range Rover, as criminals continue to target the high-value SUVs.
There was a 47% rise in the number of expensive Range Rovers unlawfully taken from their rightful owners in 2022 compared to 2021.
Land Rover Discovery thefts also rose by more than half.
Security experts at car theft experts Tracker have also revealed that premium SUV models were the most common cars it helped owners locate following a theft. Though their paid for service is used principally by owners of high end motors, therefore the figures are biased towards them.
The aftermarket systems allow Tracker to identify the location of a vehicle after it has been pinched. They then work with police to locate and retrieve these motors.
The AA has warned that cases could increase this year as the cost of living crunch intensifies and more people are tempted to turn to crime to make money.
Key to crime
However, Tracker is also seeing a rise in the number of mainstream cars being stolen. Supply issues within the new car market over the last two years has been a big motivator for thieves.
This shortfall in vehicle parts supply has also hit the service, maintenance and repair sector, creating another lucrative opportunity for professional car thieves.
