New research from What Car? reveals the worst regions in the UK for car theft in 2024.
The data, collected by the car-buying brand, revealed shocking statistics that exposed the most expensive brands stolen and the key hot spots for vehicle crime.
According to the research, drivers in England are eight times more likely to have their vehicle stolen than motorists in Northern Ireland, four times more likely than drivers in Wales and twice as likely as motorists in Scotland.
In fact, most car thefts occurred in England, while the fewest were reported in Northern Ireland, with 0.92 cars stolen per 1,000 people in England compared to just 0.11 per 1,000 in Northern Ireland.
Despite having a smaller population than Greater London, the West Midlands had the highest rate of car thefts, with the most vehicles stolen per 1,000 people and a theft rate 67% higher than the capital.
The top 10 regions for car theft, ranked by the number of cars stolen per 1000 people, were:
1. West Midland, 7,694 stolen vehicles, 2.64 vehicles per 1000 people
2. Great London – 14,106 stolen vehicles, 1.58 vehicles per 1000 people
3. South Yorkshire – 1,979 stolen vehicles, 1.41 vehicles per 1000 people
4. Essex – 2,532 stolen vehicles, 1.38 vehicles per 1000 people
5. Bristol – 506 stolen vehicles, 1.09 vehicles per 1000 people
6. West Yorkshire – 2,378 stolen vehicles, 1.02 vehicles per 1000 people
7. Warwickshire – 564 stolen vehicles, 0.99 vehicles per 1000 people
8. Hertfordshire – 1,160 stolen vehicles, 0.98 vehicles per 1000 people
9. Greater Manchester – 2,706 stolen vehicles, 0.96 vehicles per 1000 people
10. Bedfordshire – 642 stolen vehicles, 0.91 vehicles per 1000 people
Nine of the ten priciest vehicles were stolen in England and the majority of the vehicles taken were under eight years old. The most expensive vehicles stolen were:
1. Ferrari Purosangue, 2024 - £375,000
2. Rolls Royce Cullinan, 2023 - £270,000
3. Lamborghini Urus Performante, 2024 – £260,000
Claire Evans, What Car? Consumer editor said: “Regardless of the value of your car, a good quality steering-wheel lock is recommended, along with a Faraday bag – a tiny key-storage pouch which blocks the signal from your key to the car.
“It’s a shocking statistic that 44% of cars are accessed via an unlocked door and 80% of thefts take place at night or in the dark, so simple measures such as always checking your car is locked and parking in a well-lit location can also help.”
