Did you know, an average of seven cars per hour were stolen in the UK last year?
That’s one every 8.5 minutes, or just over 61,000 cars stolen throughout 2024.
The figures are based on data from the DVLA as reported in an article by What Car? Magazine.
What’s the most popular car for thieves to pinch?
If you think thieves only have eyes for shiny SUVs or sports cars, you’d be wrong.
It turns out that the humble Ford Fiesta was the most frequently stolen car of 2024, with just shy of 4,500 Ford Fiesta’s ending up in the hands of thieves. One theory is that it’s the demand for second-hand parts that’s driving criminals to target them.
That’s followed by the VW Golf, with around 1,700 of these stolen in 2024, closely followed by the Ford Focus in third place.
How can I keep my car safe?
So, now we know that small hatchbacks and family cars are just as likely, if not more likely to be stolen than luxury motors, it’s time for us all to start paying closer attention to car security.
It may seem obvious, but there are some basic precautions you need to take to try and safeguard your car every time you leave it unattended.
These include:
- Shutting the windows
- Closing the sunroof
- Locking the doors
- Locking the boot
- Removing the key from the ignition
If you don’t lock your car, you could invalidate your insurance. That’s why it’s important to always check you’ve secured your car correctly – even if you’re only stepping away briefly.
Find a safe spot to park
Parking in a safe spot is also key. When parking on the road, make potential thieves think twice by parking your car on a well-lit busy street, in full view of passers-by.
If you need to use a car park, try to find one with the police-approved Safer Parking scheme, which displays the Park Mark logo. Head to their website to find a Park Mark car park near you.
Alternatively, look for a car park that has attendants and is patrolled.
When parking at home, use your garage if you have one and remember to lock your car and the garage door.
Once you've parked, use an immobiliser to prevent the car from being driven away (most cars will already have one already fitted, as the Government made this compulsory in 1998).
These days, an increasing number of motorists also use simple steering locks to help deter thieves. Check out this review of steering locks on Auto Express to find out more.
Beware the opportunist thief
Old-fashioned steering wheel locks act as a visual deterrent. The thinking is that it’ll take longer for the thief to steal your car, so they’re less likely to bother.
Here are some other ways to prevent your car from becoming a target:
- Keep the doors locked while driving and hide anything of value to prevent opportunist thieves from taking advantage of traffic jams or red lights.
- If a thief attempts to steal your car while you're in it, use the horn and car lights to attract attention.
- Never leave valuables on display while parked or on the move, and don’t leave driving documents and vehicle registration details in your car either.
- Don't attract opportunist thieves by displaying your keys in view. When at home, avoid leaving keys near the letterbox or on a shelf in the hall where a rod and hook could fish them out.
Keep your keys safe
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, keep your keys or your fob safe.
In addition to trying to physically steal the car-key itself, more high-tech thieves may try to use relay theft techniques to steal your car. This is when they use a signal to trick cars into thinking the key is present.
To do this, would-be thieves will need to be able to get close enough to your keys to use their signal. You can help to prevent this by keeping your car keys away from doors and windows. Go even further by storing them in a metal container that can block the key's signal from reaching thieves.
You could also use a Faraday pouch, which is designed to block these types of signals. Just make sure you have enough space for all your spare keys!
Be sure to keep your car keys safe when you’re out-and-about too. Don’t leave them in easy to access places, such as coat pockets, as they could become an easy target.
Lastly, if you’re car keys are lost or stolen, remember to report it to your insurance provider as soon as possible.
