car crime

Revealed: Scotland’s most stolen cars

AUDI A3, HONDA CIVIC & FORD FOCUS ARE SCOTLANDS MOST STOLEN CARS

Further research finds that almost 1 in 5 (18%) motorists have had their car stolen before, equating to 7,608,568 UK drivers.⁽¹⁾That’s as 14% of Scots admit to having their car stolen.
More cars were stolen from streets outside the victim’s home (37%) in Scotland than any other location.
With car thefts affecting so many drivers, Confused.com has launched a probability tool. Drivers can use this to find out how likely thieves are to steal the car they’re considering.
Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused.com shares advice on car theft prevention, and what to do if you need to make a claim

The Ford Fiesta is a firm favourite among drivers, with around 1.5 million on UK roads.However, it’s also the most targeted car by thieves, new data reveals.

The data, released by Confused.com, highlights the number of stolen vehicles since January 2018, with certain models and areas facing a significantly higher risk. This is based on customers who have made a claim for ‘theft of car’ on their insurance in this period.

In total, 10,346 thefts of Ford Fiesta have been reported since January 2018, according to car theft claims declared through Confused.com. This averages around 2,000 thefts per year, making it the most targeted car in the UK. Volkswagen Golf follows, with a total of 9,526 thefts over the same period, and BMW 3 Series ranks third with a total of 9,148 thefts.

Make and model (Car)	Units stolen
Ford Fiesta	10,346
Volkswagen Golf	9,526
BMW 3 Series	9,148
Ford Focus	6,664
BMW 1 Series	6,286
Mercedes-Benz C Class	5,698
Audi A3	5,551
Range Rover Sport	5,472
Vauxhall Corsa	4,992
Vauxhall Astra	4,357

However, the most targeted cars can vary by area of Scotland. For example, in Glasgow, the Audi A3 is the most stolen car. Yet in Edinburgh, a Honda Civic tops the list as the most reported stolen vehicle in the past 5 years.

The Scottish cities with the most stolen cars include:

City	Most stolen car
Glasgow	Audi A3 SE
Edinburgh	Honda Civic S
Aberdeen	Volkswagen Touareg R Line Plus
Motherwell	SAAB 9-3 Linear SE
Kirkcaldy	Renault Clio Dynamique

With so many drivers falling victim to car thefts, Confused.com has launched a new tool which shows the likelihood of a car being stolen.

This is based on the make, model and variant. Users can input the car they own, or are considering buying, into the tool and receive an estimate of its theft risk.

Armed with this knowledge, car buyers can make more informed decisions about their purchases.

In total, more than 250,000 thefts of cars have been reported since January 2018, according to Confused.com’s data. But the issue goes back further than this, as research found that almost 1 in 5 (18%) UK drivers have experienced car theft in the past. That’s equivalent to 7,608,568 motorists.

And according to the research by Confused.com, thieves aren’t always being particularly cautious with their methods, which suggests anyone could be at risk. In fact, more cars were stolen from streets outside the victim’s home (28%) than any other location, followed by their driveway (15%).

And it seems thieves are using a range of methods to successfully steal cars. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) stolen cars were hot-wired, 1 in 4 (22%) had their windows smashed and unfortunately 1 in 10 (10%) had their house broken into to steal the keys.

But it’s not all bad news as almost 9 in 10 (87%) of those who had their cars stolen said it was retrieved. Almost 2 in 3 (62%) said the police found it and 15% said they found it themselves. And technology clearly plays a role.

Over 1 in ten (14%) said they had security footage that showed the car being stolen, either from their own devices or their neighbours. A further 12% said they had a tracker on their car when it was stolen, which enabled them to find where it had been taken to.

It shows that having additional security pays. And as we head further into the winter season, getting closer to the clocks coming forward, drivers are being reminded to use car theft prevention devices. However, worryingly 28% of drivers admit they don’t use any additional security on their car.

But for those taking extra precautions, the most popular were found to be steering locks (19%), GPS trackers (17%), parking in a garage (17%) and putting car keys in a faraday pouch (12%). One in 10 also said they use a car key signal blocker as keyless car theft seems to be on the rise.

But it isn’t just the stress of having their car stolen which affects victims. In fact many were also left with significant financial burdens. Whilst the majority of cars are returned, almost 9 in 10 (87%) said their cars were returned damaged. On average, drivers had to spend £364 to repair damages and £671 to top up the cost of a new car.

With car thefts having such a significant impact on victims, it’s important that drivers are considering extra measures to keep their car as secure as possible – especially if their car is among the most targeted by thieves.

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, comments: ““Having your car stolen is a stress on both your life and your living costs too. And with general car insurance costs at extreme highs, the impact of having your car stolen is proving to be a burden on drivers and the price they pay for their car insurance.

“That’s why it’s important that drivers do all they can to protect their cars from thieves. And there are many ways to do this. These include:

Checking your car is locked – This might sound like an obvious one, but this is especially important with more modern cars having keyless locking systems. It’s easy to forget to double check or lock your car in the first place. It’ll also impact your claim if your car is stolen and you’re not sure if you locked it or not.
Hiding valuables in your car – don’t leave any valuables like handbags, tech or money visible in your car. This could make it more attractive to break into and steal.
Investing in car security – steering wheel and handbrake locks are effective ways to protect your car from thieves. The brightly coloured locks also act as a visual deterrent.
Installing a tracking device – although this doesn’t prevent your car from being stolen, it can improve its chances of being recovered.

“Taking measures to protect your car can help ensure that it doesn’t become a target. And if you’re changing your car, use our car theft probability calculator. This can help you work out how likely thieves in your area are to steal that car model.”

Police: Make it tough for car thieves

Following several incidents across the city Police in Edinburgh ask that vehicle owners take note of the following simple prevention measures that could stop your vehicle being stolen –

• Use a steering lock – a visible deterrent to thieves.

• If your vehicle has keyless entry use a Faraday pouch / metal tin to prevent relay theft.

• Do not leave keys close to windows / doors – this aids relay theft and physical theft of the keys.

• If you have a private driveway / parking space, consider fitting a parking bollard.

• Fit a lock to the vehicles On Board Diagnostic (OBD) port to prevent thieves easily re-programming a new key.

• Use a pedal box – these specially designed boxes fit over the drive pedals and lock in place when the vehicle is not in use.

• Physically check doors are locked before leaving your vehicle and don’t leave valuables within.

• Trackers can assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles – check if your vehicle has one and how to obtain information if it is required.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved.

Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.

Short supply and heavy demand widens the car thief’s net

First ever hybrid car makes Tracker’s top ten most stolen and recovered league table as Lexus becomes a target for thieves

Key 2022 Tracker Recovery Data

42% of stolen cars recovered by Tracker in 2022 were Range Rover and Land Rover models
The Range Rover Sport takes the number one spot for the fourth consecutive year
Luxury brand Lexus enters Tracker’s top ten league table for the first time with its Lexus RX 450h, which takes sixth place
The Volkswagen Golf re-enters Tracker’s league table, last appearing in 2017
32 chop shops were uncovered by police in 2022 as a result of a Tracker activated stolen vehicle recovery – over a 300% increase on the number of chop shop closures recorded by Tracker since 2021
Keyless car theft remained on par year-on-year with 93% of all vehicles recovered by Tracker stolen without the key present

New data analysis from stolen vehicle recovery expert (SVR), Tracker Network UK Limited confirms that the Range Rover Sport continues to be its most commonly stolen and recovered car.

However, Tracker’s 2022 data has also revealed that not only has another premium SUV model become favourable among thieves, but hybrid vehicles are now rich pickings for criminals. The Lexus RX 450h enters Tracker’s top ten most stolen and recovered league table, which is the first time a Lexus vehicle has ever appeared in its annual review of stolen and recovered vehicles. A sharp rise in thefts of the Lexus RX450h in the second half of the year indicates it’s likely to remain a target for thieves.

The Volkswagen Golf has re-entered Tracker’s top ten with an average value of £10k; it last appeared in 2017.

The highest value stolen car recovered by Tracker in 2022 was a Mercedes-Benz AMG with a retail price of £182,000 and the lowest value car recovered was an Audi A4, priced at £1,000.

Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker said, “As the U.K. accelerates towards its ambition of achieving zero emissions, so too has the take up of hybrid and electric vehicles by private and company car drivers. And with increasing demand comes a greater risk of these vehicles being targeted by thieves.

“Crucially however, our 2022 data highlights that it’s not just premium and nearly new cars being targeted by thieves. An ongoing lack of parts for new car manufacturing – primarily microchips – has boosted demand in the second-hand car market and in turn, created an opportunity professional criminals have been quick to take advantage of.

“Furthermore, a shortfall in vehicle parts supply has also hit the service, maintenance and repair sector, creating another lucrative opportunity for professional car thieves. 2022 saw a U.K. boom in ‘chop-shops’ – buildings containing stolen vehicles to be stripped down for their expensive parts to be sold on, on the black market.

“Police uncovered 32 illegal chop shops in 2022 as a result of us locating stolen vehicles belonging to our customers being hidden there. What’s more, these recoveries resulted in the police also uncovering 100s of non-Tracker fitted vehicles, as well as seize valuable vehicle parts worth millions of pounds.”

Keyless car theft and ‘relay attack’ continues to challenge manufacturers, as Tracker’s latest data confirms. The level of vehicle theft carried out through this method has significantly increased over the years. In 2017, 80% of all vehicles stolen and recovered were stolen without using the owner’s keys, it now stands at 93% in 2022.

Clive Wain added: “It remains a difficult time for car owners but a multi-layer approach to vehicle security will go a long way in protecting vehicles. Criminals continue to find ways around new security technology, which is why we always encourage motorists to use traditional security deterrents such as crook locks and wheel clamps to deter criminals and protect their vehicles.

“An investment in smart doorbells or a CCTV system are also increasingly popular amongst those keen to guard against unwanted visitors. Indeed, they have become a valuable means to helping police solve vehicle crime. However, in the event of a theft, stolen vehicle tracking technology will significantly help police quickly locate the vehicle and return it to its rightful owner before it is sold on, broken down for parts or shipped abroad.”

Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces. Its detection units are fitted in over 2000 police patrol vehicles and throughout the national fleet of Police helicopters that comprise the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

Don’t let car thieves steal Christmas

Motorists have been warned not to leave Christmas presents on display in parked vehicles after almost a third admitted to being a victim of car crime.   

Experts at  Quotezone.co.uk have revealed that more than one in ten Brits leave their precious presents in the car during the festive season, presenting an ideal opportunity for heartless thieves to ruin Christmas.   

New data from Quotezone.co.uk reveals that 11% of us admit to leaving gifts we have purchased for loved ones in our cars while we continue our Christmas shopping or enjoy a night out. 

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 The car insurance comparison experts also asked 1,000 drivers if they had experienced a vehicle break-in, with almost `a third, 31%, confirming they had.   

Now they are warning car owners to be more careful this year and ensure presents are kept in the safety of the home, or at least well hidden from view in vehicles. 

Better still, take presents straight home from the shops and get them wrapped and placed under the tree.   

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “It must be a terrible feeling to have carefully chosen or sentimental Christmas presents stolen from a car just before the big day.   

“Our data shows that almost one third of drivers have experienced a car break in, yet 11% of us still leave presents in a parked car.  Christmas is a time of goodwill but sadly for some thieves it’s a time of opportunity.  

“It’s also an incredibly busy time of year, drivers need to remember to be careful and always keep presents hidden out of sight under the boot cover or in the glove box, ideally parked next to a streetlight on a busy street.  If the car is left unlocked or the stolen items are in full view, it may invalidate an insurance claim.   

“Fully comprehensive car insurance usually includes cover for some possessions damaged or stolen from a car but there’s usually a cap on this amount.  If drivers know they’ll be travelling to see family this Christmas and have a large sack of expensive gifts in the car, it would be worth informing their insurer to double check they’re covered and potentially increase the price cap temporarily.  Also don’t forget to keep all receipts, they may be needed if they have to make a claim.”   

To further prevent car break ins, drivers should park in a well-lit, populated area, ensure that all windows are rolled up, and consider installing a steering-wheel lock, car tracker and immobiliser – if the car doesn’t have one as standard.   

Car security is really important any time of the year, but especially during the festive period with expensive and sentimental presents in danger of being stolen and ruining Christmas.  

If cars are broken into, drivers should take photos, identify the damage and inform the police – obtaining a crime reference number, also inform the car insurance company as soon as possible.  

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year find savings on everyday household bills and essentials, such as fully comprehensive car insurance. 

Crimestoppers launches Safer Communities summer campaign

Don’t let thieves steal our summer

Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers is launching their new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’:

We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.

As lockdown eases and we leave our homes this summer, we need to protect ourselves and possessions from crime. The pandemic has brought neighbours together, and we don’t want that to stop – you can still be neighbourly by looking out for each other’s homes when you go on holiday.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE CRIMINALS BEHIND ANY OF THE BELOW CRIMES, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW – CALL 0800 555 111 OR USE THE ONLINE FORM HERE ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU’LL STAY 100% ANONYMOUS. ALWAYS.

With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.

Theft

Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends.

When we’ve all been used to not going out as much as usual, it’s easy to forget to keep an eye on your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or purse – and thieves are always on the lookout for new opportunities.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THIEVES WHO CARRY OUT THESE CRIMES? STAY 100% ANONYMOUS BY TELLING US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOU AND YOUR POSSESSIONS SAFE FROM THEFT.

Burglary

Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence.

Burglars keep an eye out for empty and unprotected properties and, now that we’re starting to go out more, they are likely to step up their surveillance – but, by speaking up, together we can all help to combat this.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Now that we’re all starting to ease out of Covid-19 restrictions, we need to make sure that as well as keeping ourselves safe, we’re keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe.

“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”

IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT A PLANNED CRIME, OR HAVE SEEN A CRIME TAKE PLACE AND WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise.

Catalytic converter theft doesn’t just happen outside residential properties, it can happen in car parks too. Earlier this year OPAL, a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, reported a national increase in these types of offences across both locations.

Barrie Millett, Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, Mitie, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.

“As Covid restrictions get lifted once more, we urge our customers, clients and staff to stay vigilant, follow prevention advice, and tell Crimestoppers what you know if you have information about the criminals carrying out these crimes.”

Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CAR FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

Don’t let thieves steal our summer

Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers are launching a new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’:

We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE CRIMINALS BEHIND ANY OF THE BELOW CRIMES, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW – CALL 0800 555 111 OR USE THE ONLINE FORM HERE ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU’LL STAY 100% ANONYMOUS. ALWAYS.

With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.

THEFT

Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THIEVES WHO CARRY OUT THESE CRIMES? STAY 100% ANONYMOUS BY TELLING US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOU AND YOUR POSSESSIONS SAFE FROM THEFT.

BURGLARY

Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence.

“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”

IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT A PLANNED CRIME, OR HAVE SEEN A CRIME TAKE PLACE AND WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

CAR CRIME

Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise.

Barrie Millett, Mitie Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.

Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CAR FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

Police issue vehicle crime prevention advice

There has been a slight rise in thefts from motor vehicles and theft of motor vehicles in Edinburgh. Here’s some advice on how to prevent these:

Despite modern locking systems on vehicles, some criminals do manage to overcome them by using devices bought legally and relatively cheaply on the internet. All of which work by affecting the radio frequency imitated by the key fob / device, enabling vehicles to be stolen despite owners having possession of the key(s).

Key and Fob

The majority of vehicles are accessed by a combination of traditional key and fob remote. The fob tending to be used more frequently than the key, due to the convenience of simply pushing a button. However, criminals can block the radio signal between the fob and vehicle, using a signal blocker.

You press your fob and walk away as normal thinking the vehicle is locked. But it isn’t!

Once inside your vehicle, thieves can remove any items they like or drive it away by plugging a re-programing device into the on board diagnostics port and program a key, which may only take seconds.

Preventative measures:

• Physically checking the vehicle is locked and checking ALL the doors
• Using the traditional key to lock up
• Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely and safely
• Consider using a steering lockKeyless Vehicles

Keyless vehicles automatically lock / unlock depending on the proximity of a key device, which is usually no bigger than a bank card. The system operates via radio signals passed between vehicle and key device. These signals can be intercepted by criminals.

Keys constantly emit a signal, (at times even detectable from within a building), which can be picked up by anyone with an appropriate transmitter relay device.

The signal is relayed back to the vehicle, which unlocks and allows the start button to work and once away from the scene of the crime, a new key can be programmed via the OBD port.

Preventative measures:

• Keep your key device in a Faraday pouch (see picture above ), which has a lining that prevents the items inside from receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals.
• Check vehicle doors are locked before walking away
• Do not store keys near windows or doors
• If you buy a second hand keyless car, get the key reprogrammed
• Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely and safely
• Consider using a steering lockGeneral advice:

• Do not leave any valuable items in the vehicle- if left on show they will encourage thieves to break in. Please note areas such as glove boxes and under seats are not secure and not suitable for the storage of valuables.
• Consider using a steering locks a visible deterrent to thieves – someone who is so obviously conscious of security is less likely to leave valuable in a vehicle.
• Avoid parking in dark, secluded areas, choose locations that are well lit and over looked by houses, passers-by and covered by CCTV if possible.

Stronger North: crackdown on crime in North Edinburgh

Police have been conducting Stronger North activity in the North Edinburgh area over the past week. Officers have made 42 arrests and executed seven misuse of drugs warrants since last Monday. Over the last week £9000 worth of drugs have been recovered in the area, along with seven stolen motorcycles and one stolen car. Seventeen vehicles have also been seized for having invalid insurance. Continue reading Stronger North: crackdown on crime in North Edinburgh

North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

At least 25 cars damaged in overnight vandalism attacks

Police are investigating following a wave of car vandalisms across North Edinburgh. A series of incidents occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday and took place across the area -incidents were reported in Granton, Boswall, Trinity and Hawthornvale. Continue reading North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

Operation Quarterlight: cracking down on car crime

Quarterlight update: six arrests last week

Operation Quarterlight is a Police Scotland initiative aimed at tackling motor vehicle crime in hotspot areas. Since the start of the initiative in January 2015, local officers involved in the operation have made 24 arrests and solved 68 crimes related to motor vehicle offences.

In the last week officers in Edinburgh have arrested five men and one woman for various offences related to motor vehicles crimes. Of those arrested a 22-year-old man has been remanded in custody on multiple charges.

Additionally in the last week there has been 15 stop searches in hotspot areas and 41 bail curfew checks completed on some of Edinburgh’s most prolific offenders.

Police have also charged a 41-year-old woman with the theft of a pedal cycle. This had previously been advertised as for sale on a website. The bike has now been recovered and returned to its owner.

PS Tom Mallinson, who runs the Quarterlight team, said: “We have solved almost seventy crimes since Quarterlight began and well over half of these relate to vehicle crime. We are quite clear with offenders – we will continue to investigate all crimes linked to vehicles across the city.

“Many of these individuals will be involved in assaults, hate crimes, vandalisms and serious driving offences while in the commission of motor vehicle offences and our team has prioritised access to forensic services, CCTV and national vehicle crime experts to combat the challenge of autocrime.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, who oversees Operation Quarterlight locally, pressed home the point about car security and improving results. He said: “We have seen a week on week increase in detection rates, as well as a driving down of car crime as the message gets out.

“We have increased preventative night time patrols in hot spot areas and officers have conducted over a hundred searches resulting in numerous arrests.

“We still want car owners to be careful – secure their vehicles, park in well-lit and overlooked spots and ensure valuable items are removed or at least not on show in their vehicles.”