Police have had reports of sheds/garages being broken into across Edinburgh. Please remain vigilant and review the security of your property.
Key points for shed/garage security are:
• Use a good quality closed shackled padlock
• Fit coach bolts or anti tamper screws on shed hinges
• Install a stand-alone shed alarm
• Secure bikes within sheds/garages to a ground anchor or immovable object
• Review the lighting and fencing around your property
• Consider a garage defender
Please see attached documents for further advice.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property or vehicle 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.
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).
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.
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.
