By: 25 May 2023
AA discovers high rates of vehicle thefts

Thefts of and from vehicles both increased last year, according to the AA’s analysis of statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Vehicle theft increased by 24.9% from 2021 to 2022 and thefts from vehicles rose 9.9%. Both increases came as residential burglary rose 2.9%.

Across England in Wales in 2021, 104,435 people had their vehicles stolen compared to 130,389 last year.

Around 212,900 people had items stolen out of their vehicle in 2022 compared to 193,647 the year before. The AA said that Devon and Cornwall Police was unable to supply figures to the ONS, so the true number is likely to be higher.

As a result of these trends, the AA is calling on drivers not to store valuables in their vehicles if possible, or at the very least to keep them hidden.

To lower the risk of burglary, which rose from 185,683 victims in 2021 to 191,094 in 2022, people should also keep items hidden. Security measures such as doorbell cameras, alarms and covert markings such as SmartWater are also good ideas.

Gus Park, managing director for AA Insurance Services, said: “The rise in vehicle and residential thefts are worrying for everyone and highlights that security of both car and home are vitally important.

“These figures are in danger of getting out of control, which if left to spiral further will have big cost implications in terms of the impact to wider society let alone the price policy holders pay. We urge police chiefs and crime commissioners across the country to create an action plan to crack the case.”

Image: AA
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