• Nearly 200,000 thefts from vehicles were reported last year – equivalent to 540 each day 
• Avon and Somerset, Warwickshire, and Northumbria saw the biggest increase in thefts
• The items stolen in 2022 were valued at £60 million – up 27 per cent from 2021

 

Almost 200,000 thefts from vehicles were reported to police in the UK last year, reveals new research¹ from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In 2022, there were 197,021 thefts from vehicles, the equivalent of 540 each day. This is an 8 per cent increase from the 181,936 thefts reported in 2021 (498 each day).

A person is guilty of theft from a motor vehicle if they take property belonging to someone else from, or off, a vehicle². Previous insight from Direct Line’s ‘Truth about Car Theft’ campaign with the University of Huddersfield³ found that theft from motor vehicles is a popular, easy to commit, opportunist crime. In interviews conducted with convicted car thieves, Direct Line found that stealing valuable items such as laptops and phones were commonplace, and more lucrative than portable satnavs, radios, and speakers.

The Avon and Somerset region saw the largest annual increase in thefts from vehicles, with reports of the crime up 48 per cent in the area. Warwickshire (43 per cent) and Northumbria (34 per cent) saw the second and third biggest increases respectively. The highest number of thefts from vehicles last year occurred in London, with 64,893 crimes reported to the Metropolitan Police – increasing from 61,442 in 2021. The West Midlands (17,459) and Greater Manchester Police (12,933) saw the second and third highest number of thefts respectively.

The total value of possessions stolen from vehicles in 2022 was more than £61 million. This is a 27 per cent increase from the £48 million of possessions stolen in 2021. The average victim of the crime lost possessions worth £618.

Lorraine Price, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line, said:

““Given how frequent the theft of items from vehicles is, car owners should, where possible, avoid leaving valuables in their vehicles and ensure that they understand what is covered on their motor insurance policy if this is unavoidable. Having belongings stolen from your car can be incredibly distressing and inconvenient for the victim. While car owners shouldn’t have to take significant precautions to protect their vehicles, there are steps motorists can take to help reduce their risk of being targeted.”

How to reduce the risk of theft from cars

• Lock your car: Make sure you lock your car if you are leaving it empty and never leave your keys in it, even if you intend to be gone for just a second
• Out of sight: If you need to leave valuables in your car make sure to keep them out of sight
• Overnight:  Never leave items of value in your car overnight, even if your car is broken in to, at least the thieves won’t take your valuables
• Cleanliness: Having a tidy car also helps, as thieves will see a messy car and typically think there is something of value underneath the debris
• Alarms: Installing a motion-sensor alarm in your car that uses a recorded voice can be helpful in deterring a thief from entering your car

 

Table one: Thefts from vehicles by region, highest to lowest YoY change

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

1. Freedom of Information Act request made to all police forces across the UK, of which 42 responded with usable data
2. A person is guilty of theft from a motor vehicle if they take property belonging to someone else from, or off, the vehicle.
3. Armitage, R., Floyd, K., Reeves, C and Roach, J. (2022) Preventing Vehicle Crime. University of Huddersfield

 

Direct Line Group:

Alice Osborn

PR Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting https://www.directline.com/car-cover