Vehicle theft in the UK: what the stats say
Earlier this year, the RAC reported that between April 2023 and March 2024, a staggering 129,159 vehicles in the UK were stolen. According to Government crime data from the Office of National Statistics, the number of incidents is at a record high – the joint highest it has been for 15 years.
It’s a concern for anyone driving on the road. But for companies operating fleets, even having one vehicle stolen can have a knock-on effect on your business, putting strain on the rest of the fleet. It’s therefore more important than ever to take steps to protect your vehicles and your drivers.
You may have already seen our social post, which includes tips for how to protect your vehicle from thieves on the road. Here, we go into more detail about why the number of vehicle thefts in the UK is rising and what you can do about it.
Why are vehicle thefts on the rise?
Over the last 10 years, the UK has seen an alarming increase in vehicle theft. A large factor in this is the advancement of technology. While vehicles have become more sophisticated, so have the criminals looking to steal them. Technology such as relay attacks and keyless entry systems make it easy for thieves to strike quickly – and bypass outdated car safety technology like alarms and immobilisers.
Until car safety technology catches up, there are some simple steps to make your vehicles safer.
Outthinking the criminals targeting your fleet
Below, we’ll outline a few easy ways you can combat vehicle theft and protect your business.
- Keep your key in a metal box – 96% of vehicles are at risk of a ‘relay attack’. This is where two criminals work together. The first puts a device close to where you keep your key, in order to get the key signal. This is then sent to another device that’s placed by your vehicle, tricking the vehicle into thinking the key is next to it. The second criminal then simply opens the door and drives off. How to stop it? The devices can’t penetrate metal. So keeping your key in a metal box (or a specially-designed signal blocking wallet) will help.
- Think fast in slow-moving traffic – carjackers look out for people with their windows down in traffic jams as a quick way to grab valuables. Keep your wits about you, wind up your windows, lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight.
- Be careful where you park – criminals often target vehicles that are parked on their own and in poorly-lit areas. Making sure you park somewhere well-lit and nearby other cars can help put them off.
- Check your vehicle is actually locked – it may sound a bit over the top, but if you use a fob to lock your vehicle, it’s worth checking your doors and boot before you walk off. Why? Criminals can intercept the fob’s signal, whether they’re at the scene or not (some hide signal jammers in car parks and wait for people to lock up with their fob). Physically checking your door handles only takes a few seconds, but it could protect your vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle’s documents anywhere but in your vehicle – sure, it sounds like a good place to keep them. But if your vehicle is stolen, having all the documents makes it much easier for a criminal to sell it, leaving you open to identity fraud. Find a safe place at work or at home.
Keeping your fleet, drivers and business safe
Vehicle theft in the UK is at a record high. Criminals are using more sophisticated technology, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk and protect your fleet. Whether it’s thinking about where you keep your keys and documents. Keeping your wits about you while driving around. Or considering the safety of your vehicle when you park up and step away. Staying a few steps ahead of the criminals will help keep your fleet on the road, your drivers safe and your business up and running.
