With the cost of living crunch, so comes the rise in crime.

More people struggling to make ends meet means demand for cheaper products rises.

A surge in demand will ultimately provide both incentives and opportunities for the criminal-minded.

Don’t park awareness

Howden Insurance has analysed the number of car crimes reported by each police force over the last year.

It has utilised GOV.co.uk data, scaling this to the numbers of registered vehicles in different areas of the country.

From this, Howden has identified the safest and riskiest areas for car owners, particularly new ones.  

They compiled an index of all car crimes in counties and police territories across the UK from January 2023 to January 2024. 

 Google search volume for various vehicle security devices and deterrents were also collated from the same period.

These pieces of research provide a picture of parking risk and the sense of security drivers feel when they park in those areas.

 Northern nightmares  

West Yorkshire is crowned most dangerous, with 5.35 thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles. This is 176% above the national average (1.94). 

Students travelling to cities like Leeds for university should be extra considerate of car safety, particularly if it’s their first time taking their car away from home. Valuables must not be left visible – especially when parked in unmonitored areas.  

Nottinghamshire ranks second, with 4.65 car crimes per 1,000 registered vehicles. This is another student-heavy university area, elevating risk.  

Kent ranks third, with 2.80 car thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles – two-fifths (44%) higher than the national average. Visitors heading to Canterbury to see the cathedral and Chaucer enthusiasts should stay vigilant when travelling.

Merseyside and Surrey rank close behind, placing fourth and fifth, with 2.75 and 2.57 car thefts per 1,000 vehicles, respectively.

 

Top ten parking dangerous zones

   Police Force  Vehicle Thefts   Registered Vehicles (1000s)   Thefts per 1,000 Registered Vehicles  
1  West Yorkshire  8,531  1,594  5.35 
2  Nottinghamshire  2,700  902  4.65 
3  Kent  4,489  1,604  2.80 
4  Merseyside  3,240  1,180  2.75 
5  Surrey  3,174  1,234  2.57 
6  Lancashire  3,876  1,688  2.30 
7  Hampshire  5,915  2,608  1.88 
8  Leicestershire  3,421  1,848  1.85 
9  Essex  6,880  4,596  1.50 
10  Hertfordshire  3,422  3,958  0.86 

  

Locking up

These areas have the highest incidence of parked car crimes, but where do motorists feel least secure about leaving their cars unattended?

The study reveals which counties are most proactive around vehicle security. It is based on Google searches for popular security devices made over the last year.    

 Terms analysed include dash cam, wheel clamp, car theft deterrent, how to prevent car theft, driveway security, home CCTV, and more.

Searches were scaled against local populations to get a monthly interest rate per 100k residents.   

  The West Midlands is placed first, with 1,893 searches per 100k residents. The most popular security device is a steering wheel lock, accounting for 24% of the total annual searches. The region suffered 7,232 car thefts over the past year.   

 Second is Greater Manchester, with 1,754 monthly searches per 100k, where dashcams proved the most sought-after device.

Essex is in third place, with 1,725 searches per 100,000 residents, followed by Lancashire, with 1,260 searches per 100,000 residents.

 Nationwide, the most popular security devices are dashcams, security cameras, CCTV, steering wheel locks, and security lights.   

  Proactive security

Rank    Area  Average Monthly Google Searches per 100k  
1    West Midlands   1,893  
2    Greater Manchester   1,754  
3    Essex   1,725  
4    Lancashire   1,260  
5    Staffordshire   1,047  
6    Kent   992  
7    Hampshire   966  
8    Merseyside   887  
9    Gloucestershire   845  
10    Lincolnshire   807  

  

New driver warning

Speaking on the findings, a spokesperson from Howden Insurance said: “With the constant influx of new drivers taking to the road, they must consider the security of their vehicles when going away. Whether owners leave cars unattended at their homes or use them to travel to their holiday destination, valuables must never be left inside.   

“The popularity of dashcams is interesting; with the constant rise in licenced drivers on the roads, it’s encouraging to see drivers document their journeys for safety and insurance purposes. Make sure that you’re also parking in a secure location if leaving your car unattended for an extended period – especially if you’re situated in a country where car crime is prevalent.”