Car theft rockets by up to 60 per cent in parts of Britain as experts warn motorists they face greater risk during lockdown
- Vehicle theft rose by up to 60 per cent in parts of the UK between 2016 and 2019
- Greatest rises in Nottinghamshire (60 per cent) and Staffordshire (54 per cent)
- West Midlands the ‘UK car theft capital’ with 7,883 stolen vehicles in 2018-19
- Experts now warn that motorists face greater risk of vehicle theft in lockdown
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Car theft has rocketed by up to 60 per cent in parts of the UK as experts warn British motorists their unused vehicles are at greater risk during the coronavirus lockdown.
Research shows a significant rise in vehicle theft of 21 per cent between 2016 and 2019, while thefts from vehicles rose by 14 per cent.
According to FOI requests to police forces, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire experienced rises in vehicle theft of 60 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.
Other areas with big increases in vehicle theft included Hertfordshire (50 per cent), the West Midlands (45 per cent), and Surrey (44 per cent).
However, there were decreases in the number of vehicle thefts in the same period, with Wiltshire reporting a 79 per cent drop in cases.
MailOnline has produced a map showing the rise and fall of cases of vehicle theft (2016-19)
Humberside (-36 per cent), Merseyside (-27 per cent), and Avon and Somerset (-3.5 per cent) also reported a fall in thefts between 2016-19.
Experts are warning that thieves are using increasingly sophisticated methods to steal underused vehicles during the coronavirus lockdown.
The West Midlands was the car theft capital of the UK with 7,883 stolen vehicles in 2018-19, according to vehicle protection specialists AX.
Much of the 21 per cent increase in vehicle theft occurred in 2016-18, with a hike of 14 per cent. However, there was a further rise of six per cent in 2019.
Of the police forces that responded to FOI requests, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire saw the biggest increases of more than 50 per cent each.
Neil Thomas, director of investigative services at AX, warned that criminals are ‘getting smarter’ while their ability to make ‘quick returns’ has drastically increased pressure on police forces to confront the theft of motor vehicles.
He said car thieves are ‘opportunists and have no respect for property and will remain determined to carry on illegal activity’ despite restrictions on movement.
Experts are warning UK motorists to be on the watch-out for ‘opportunistic’ thieves as vehicles are underused due to lockdown restrictions (pictured, M25 to Heathrow, April 22, 2020)
‘During this period of lockdown, it’s even more important that car owners remain vigilant and do what they can to keep their car safe,’ he said.
‘While the lockdown may temporally reduce some types of car theft, criminals are using increasingly intelligent ways to steal vehicles and continue to find success.’
Tips to deter thieves include double checking electronically locked doors, keeping keys away from letterboxes, switching off keyless technology, installing CCTV cameras, and fitting a tracker device on your car.