The year 2023 witnessed a surge in vehicle theft incidents, prompting heightened concerns among vehicle owners across the UK. Among the top ten recovered vehicles, certain makes and models stood out as particularly targeted by thieves. Here’s a breakdown of the trends observed in vehicle thefts during 2023 and a glimpse into what to anticipate in 2024.
Top Ten Recovered Vehicles in 2023:
- Land Rover: Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Vogue, Discovery, Range Rover Evoque
- Mercedes: Sprinter, G Class, S Class, X Class
- Motorhome: Fiat, Peugeot, Ford, Mercedes, Volkswagen
- Ford: Transit, Ranger, Fiesta
- BMW: M Series, X Series, 5 series, 2 series
- Lexus: RX450, ES300
- Audi: RS Series, Q Series, Etron
- Volkswagen: Amarok, Golf, Caddy
- Jaguar: F Pace
- Peugeot: Boxer
Modes of Vehicle Theft:
The majority of vehicles stolen in 2023 were recovered through Global Telemetrics, revealing a prevalent use of keyless theft methods, commonly known as ‘Relay Theft’. This technique involves thieves using devices to intercept and amplify the signal of car keys, tricking the vehicle into assuming the key is nearby and allowing for unauthorized entry and theft. Keyless theft accounted for 68% of all recoveries in 2023. Additionally, 7% of recoveries were attributed to robberies and house break-ins, indicating a surge in theft incidents towards the latter part of the year.
Locations of Vehicle Thefts:
London emerged as the primary location for vehicle recoveries in 2023, accounting for 29% of all cases. Within London, Kensington & Chelsea Borough and Enfield Borough were hotspot areas. The West Midlands and South Yorkshire followed, with 16% and 8% of recoveries, respectively. Home addresses constituted the majority (70%) of theft locations, with residential addresses (7%) and public car parks (6%) also being targeted.
Quickest Recovery and Future Trends:
Global Telemetrics facilitated swift vehicle recoveries in 2023, with two instances of stolen vehicle retrieval within just 6 minutes. Looking ahead to 2024, Land Rovers have garnered attention due to the high incidence of thefts. Jaguar Land Rover has responded by issuing updates to combat relay theft, which may impact theft rates in the coming year. Global Telemetrics plans to document recoveries and introduce new features to enhance security measures, including participation in events such as the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show, emphasizing the importance of additional security measures for motorhomes, which continue to feature in the top ten for thefts.
In conclusion, understanding the trends and methods of vehicle theft in 2023 can inform proactive measures for vehicle owners in 2024. With ongoing advancements in security technology and heightened vigilance, the aim is to mitigate the risk of vehicle theft and safeguard valuable assets.