With the high profile coverage of Land Rover theft in the UK making the news, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that they are not the only vehicles being stolen.
In recent years, car theft has been a concerning issue across the United Kingdom. This problem not only inflicts financial losses but also leaves victims feeling violated and vulnerable. Understanding the dynamics of car theft, including its trends, and preventative measures, is crucial for both individuals and authorities alike
Trends in Car Theft
According to the DVLA there were 64,000 vehicles stolen in 2023, which represents a 5% rise on the previous, with a theft occurring approximately every eight minutes in 2023. It is evident that certain makes and models are more prone to theft due to their desirability and resale value.
| 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. | Ford Fiesta Ford Focus Volkswagen Golf Mercedes C-Class Range Rover Sport Range Rover Evoque BMW 3 Series Vauxhall Corsa Vauxhall Astra Landrover Discovery Sport | 5979 2186 2036 1378 2283 1532 1454 1289 1240 862 |
This is not confined to the UK, with Italy and France having lost 141,000 and 119,000 cars respectively last year. The top vehicles stolen in Europe saw an increase as below:
| 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. | Jeep Renegade Kia Cee’d Opel Mokka Nissan X-Trail Renault Zoé Suzuki Vitara Toyota Rav4 Honda CR-V Toyota Prius Porsche 911 | 0.14% 0.14% 0.14% 0.13% 0.13% 0.12% 0.12% 0.10% 0.10% 0.07% |
In recent times, the rise of keyless entry systems has presented new challenges, as sophisticated thieves exploit vulnerabilities in these technologies to gain unauthorized access to vehicles. The ease and speed with which modern cars can be stolen without the need for physical keys have made them attractive targets for tech-savvy criminals. You can read our previous guidance on Relay theft here.
Preventative Measures
Given the evolving tactics of car thieves, vehicle owners play a crucial role in preventing theft. Common sense, simple precautions such as using high-quality alarm systems, parking in well-lit or secure areas, and installing steering wheel locks can act as effective deterrents (less so than in the 1980’s with the advent of battery powered angle grinders!). You could also consider adding a secondary electronic immobilizer system – one such example would be those manufacturerd by Ghost Immobilisers. Never leave keys in the ignition or valuables in plain sight, and disable keyless systems and use the buttons – this makes the car more secure. Finally remember to actually lock your car – this is not a given with keyless entry!
We are also seeing a huge amount of tool theft from commercial vehicles – see article here
If you have a fleet of vehicles and want more information about protecting your fleet, please get in touch.
About us:
Founded in 1987, Castlemead Insurance Brokers is an independent commercial insurance broker, specialising in Corporate Insurance, offering a full insurance broking and risk management service to our clients. Offices in the South-West of England, with clients across the UK, including Scotland and Channel Islands. Castlemead are experts in International Insurance Programmes and are partner members of the GBN Insurance Network. We also have an French subsidiary to aid placing insurance policies within the EU.
