Figures from the Office of National Statistics released today*
show that vehicle theft remained stubbornly high with 129,159
vehicles stolen between April 2023 and March 2024, compared to
130,119 for same period in 2022-23.
Meanwhile, there was a significant 12% fall in items being stolen
from vehicles with 193,023 crimes recorded for vehicles being
broken into. For the same period last year 218,431 people
reported that something had been taken from their vehicle.
However, there was a 2% increase in vehicle interference or
tampering with a motor vehicle, rising from 52,268 reported
incidents to 53,369. Vehicle tampering includes taking parts from
a vehicle such as a catalytic convertor.
Gus Park, managing director of AA Insurance Services, said;
“Every day more than 500 vehicles are broken into, while 350 are
stolen. Despite the year-on-year reduction for these offences,
the figures are simply too high.
“Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that every stolen car
increases the cost of claims and pushes premiums up for everyone.
A simple way to help reduce the cost of insurance is to target
vehicle crime and do everything possible to eliminate vehicle
theft. While there is no one single thing to completely protect
your vehicle, our advice to drivers is to install approved
alarms, immobilisers, or steering locks and to never leave
valuables on display in the car.
“In our Motoring Manifesto**, we called for more police officers
to help tackle motoring related crime. More bobbies on the beat
within local communities can help reduce car crime.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 24 July 2024,
ONS website, statistical bulletin, Crime in England and
Wales: year ending March 2024
Data taken from Tab “Table A4a” from this appendix document;
Crime in England and
Wales: Appendix tables - Office for National Statistics
(ons.gov.uk)
** aa-motoring-manifesto-2024.pdf
(theaacorporate.com)
