Shocking new data has revealed the UK's top 10 car theft hotspots.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to 36 police forces found that, surprisingly, London did not have the highest ratio of thefts.
In fact, Cleveland in the North East of England, had the highest ratio of 12.67 stolen vehicles for every 1,000 registered cars in 2022.
The London Metropolitan area was rated as the second worst place in the UK for car crime, with 11.51 thefts for every 1,000 registered cars.
South Yorkshire was third, with a theft ratio of 10.67 for every 1,000 registered cars.
Top 10 car theft hotspots
- Cleveland - 12.67
- London Metropolitan - 11.51
- South Yorkshire - 10.67
- Northumbria - 10.31
- Bedfordshire - 6.37
- West Yorkshire - 6.32
- West Midlands - 5.14
- Essex - 4.72
- Nottinghamshire - 4.41
- Merseyside - 4.37
The report follows the news that just 6.7% of car thefts result in a conviction – according to Home Office data.
The FOI research, carried out by Go Compare, also highlighted the areas of the UK with the lowest ratio of car thefts for every thousand registered vehicles.
Dyfed-Powys in Wales was the best, with an average of 0.49.Gloucestershire, Cumbria, Suffolk, and Norfolk also all had a car theft ratio that was less than one.
The data also showed the most stolen cars in 2022.
Although the last model rolled off the line this year, the Ford Fiesta is still one of the most popular cars in the UK.
And that is the same for car criminals, as the hatchback took top spot.
In fact, this model has regularly been named as the most likely car to be stolen over the past few years.
The data showed that it was revealed as the most stolen car by 30% of police forces in 2019.
This then rose to 48% in last year.
The FOI research, carried out by Go Compare,also highlighted the areas of the UK with the lowest ratio of car thefts for every thousand registered vehicles.
Dyfed-Powys in Wales was the best, with an average of 0.49.Gloucestershire, Cumbria, Suffolk, and Norfolk also all had a car theft ratio that was less than one.
The data also showed the most stolen cars in 2022.
Although the last model rolled off the line this year, the Ford Fiesta is still one of the most popular cars in the UK, which means demand for cheap spare parts is also high.
The Fiesta has regularly been named as the most likely car to be stolen over the past few years.
The data showed that it was revealed as the most stolen car by 30% of police forces in 2019. This then rose to 48% in 2022.
Following the Fiesta in the top 10 most stolen cars in 2022 was the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Honda (all/unspecified models), Vauxhall Astra, Vauxhall Corsa, Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery, and BMW (all/unspecified models).
What do you make of the statistics? And what can be done to curb this growth in car crime? Leave your comments below.
What do you make of the statistics? And what can be done to curb this growth in car crime? Leave your comments below.
Complete peace of mind for less
• Cheaper than AA Price Guarantee^
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
