A vehicle is stolen every five minutes on average in England and Wales this year, new figures reveal. There were 72,888 vehicles reported stolen between January and September 2024, according to 39 of the 43 police forces responding to a freedom of information request by Co-op Insurance.
When it came to regional theft figures, London has the highest incidences, with the Metropolitan Police reporting over 20,000 cases in the first nine months of the year. The West Midlands is second with more than 11,000 reports in 2024, while Yorkshire and the Humber region has seen nearly 8,000 vehicle thefts recorded across its four police forces.
Despite having a larger population, the North West region had fewer reports of vehicle crime than both the West Midlands and Yorkshire, with 7,648 instances recorded so far this year. Meanwhile, in Wales there have been just over 2,500 vehicle thefts in 2024.
"Whether it's a family car or a van for your business, your vehicles are vital assets so it's crucial that you keep them safe and secure," said Paul Evans, Head of Motor at Co-op Insurance.
"Unfortunately our findings suggest that vehicle thefts are sadly all too common and with the dark winter nights drawing in it's important that drivers take extra precautions to ensure that their cars or vans are secured."
This is Money's Tips to Fend-Off Car Thieves
- Make sure your car is locked: Always check your vehicle is locked after using a key fob.
- Don't leave your car engine running: It's illegal and risky to leave a running car unattended.
- Keep valuables out of sight: Remove all valuables from view inside your vehicle.
- Ensure alarms and immobilisers are fitted: Some insurance policies require these features.
- Use mechanical security systems: Devices like steering locks act as strong deterrents against thieves.
- Install home surveillance cameras: Doorbell cameras or CCTV can deter thieves effectively.
- If you have a garage—use it!
- Ponder parking strategies overnight: : Consider how securely you park during nighttime hours for added safety. . .. .. .. ..