Alarming Rise In Vehicle Theft

Tracker urges vehicle owners to be more vigilant as theft increases 52% in just six years

With the latest Office for National Statistics Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)[1] showing vehicle theft is continuing to rise, Tracker, the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, is urging vehicle owners to be more vigilant than ever. The most recent estimate of theft offences measured by the CSEW show no change in the latest year, however, when broken down further, the different types of theft reveal very different trends:

 ·        a 4% increase in vehicle offences, which includes a 5% rise in the subcategory of “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle

·        a 12% increase in robbery

·        a 4% decrease in burglary

 Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison for Tracker commented: “The fact that vehicle theft has increased by 5% in just one year and ultimately a staggering 52% over six years, proves it is still very much a big issue. Thieves will always target vehicles with insufficient security, and technology such as keyless entry systems are providing more opportunities.

 “Criminals continue to stay one step ahead of manufacturers and a ‘relay attack’ is one method car thieves are increasingly adopting. While vehicle owners should take steps to protect themselves against this type of activity, it is worth remembering vehicle security should be multi-layered. Traditional physical barriers, such as crook locks and wheel clamps are still very much a deterrent for thieves.

 “Another strategy to protect the car is to fit a tracking unit, which can significantly improve the likelihood of a vehicle being recovered if it is stolen. While it won’t stop a car being stolen, it is the only way to increase the chances of it being returned to the rightful owner if this happens.”

Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces. Tracker’s SVR solutions work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. The combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology, unique to Tracker, makes its units resistant to jamming, confirming Tracker as a superior security defence against determined thieves.