Car theft in UK on the rise, drivers urged to lock vehicles

More cars typically get stolen during the winter due to the shorter days and darker evenings.

New data from LV= General Insurance has revealed that car theft is at an all-time high in the UK, increasing by 59 percent between 2021 and 2022.During the winter months, many crimes increase in popularity, thanks in part to the darker evenings, with criminals thinking they can go unnoticed.

Martin Milliner, Claims Director at LV= General Insurance, explained why a growing number of thieves are targeting cars.

He said: “We’re certainly seeing an increase in car thefts and high value spare parts such as catalytic converters, laser headlights and even steering wheels that organised gangs of thieves find very lucrative.

“This is being fuelled by the high-tech nature and cost of these components and a general shortage of car parts because of global supply chain disruptions.”

Cars with keyless entry are often much easier for thieves to steal.

According to LV= General Insurance, the car brand that has faced the biggest increase in thefts is Lexus, with the number of reported thefts rising by 513 percent between September 2021 and 2023.Other brands that are typically targeted by thieves include Toyota, with thefts increasing by 103 percent, Hyundai, rising by 81 percent and Kia, which rose by 76 percent.

Cars featuring keyless entry can also be desirable for thieves as it is much easier for them to gain entry and start the engine.

Whilst cheap, devices such as wheel clamps can prevent thieves from stealing cars.

Martin also highlighted that criminals often target a wide range of cars, with older and newer models each having value.He added: “Some second-hand cars are highly desirable, being on average over 30 percent more expensive than they were two years ago and used by criminals as currency.

“We’re seeing all types of vehicles stolen and keyless cars remain a challenge. The technology of keyless cars continues to improve as more cars are produced but unfortunately it doesn’t take long for the thieves to work out a way to steal them and advance their own tactics.”

LV= General Insurance advised owners of cars that feature keyless entry to buy a faraday pouch for the key fob, which has a conductive fabric covering that blocks the signal when it is not in use.

Motorists should also double check that their car is locked each time they leave the vehicle, with all the safety features such as alarms set.

Finally, the company recommended that drivers invest in security devices, such as vehicle trackers or wheel clamps.