Range Rover Sport Continues To Be The Number One Favourite With Car Thieves

Analysis of the latest theft data recorded by the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, Tracker, reveals that keyless car theft jumped to 96% between January and July this year, compared to 92% during the same period in 2019. The popular Range Rover Sport continues to be the number one choice for thieves in 2020, followed by the BMW X5.

Range Rover models have dominated Tracker’s top 10 most stolen and recovered models over the past five years with the Range Rover Sport consistently appearing in the top five.

Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison for Tracker said: “Keyless car thefts are continuing to rise at an alarming rate, as criminal groups reverse-engineer the latest manufacturer security tech to steal valuable vehicles quickly and discreetly. It took just 80 seconds to steal a £120,000 bespoke Range Rover that was fitted with one of our tracking devices from a supermarket carpark in Walthamstow, London. It was broad daylight, and not one person noticed what the thieves were doing.

“The car was recovered within 24 hours and it appeared that the thieves had searched for tracking devices before leaving the vehicle parked unoccupied to see if the police would track its whereabouts.  Because the Tracker device was professionally installed, the thieves were unable to find it, leaving the police to quickly track its location.”

The most recent Home Office figures reveal that vehicle theft has rocketed by 50 per cent over the last five years, with experts saying many cars are being stolen using keyless technology. The Government claims that 56,000 vehicles are stolen in the UK each year, though experts say the true figure could be more like 100,000. 

Clive concludes, “Stealing cars is a very lucrative business which is why there is a significant amount of organised criminal activity in this market. These gangs steal to order for four broad reasons: for export, often to Eastern Europe, for their identity to be changed and the vehicle sold on within the UK; for parts, which is a growing problem and where the vehicle is stripped down in a so-called ‘chop shop’; and to be used in further crimes.”

Tracker data reveals the top targets for vehicle thefts in 2019 have remained firm targets for thieves in 2020, despite many vehicles being parked at home during lockdown.  This demonstrates location is not a barrier to determined criminals.

Top Models Stolen & Recovered January - July 2020

1	Range Rover Sport
2	BMW X5
3	= Range Rover Vouge & Land Rover Discovery
4	Range Rover Autobiography
5	Mercedes-Benz C Class

 

Top Models Stolen & Recovered in 2019

1	Range Rover Sport
2	BMW X5
3	Mercedes-Benz C Class
4	Range Rover Vouge
5	Land Rover Discovery

 

Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces. Tracker 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 GPS/GSM jamming, confirming Tracker as a superior security defence against determined thieves.

 

Tracker's Top Tips For Vehicle Security

 

Protect your key fob: Keyless car theft works through a relay-style electronic device tricking your key fob signal into thinking the key is near to the car and then the device can assume all key fob power. To prevent this, keep the key – and the spare too - away from where the vehicle is kept when not in use, and block the signal by keeping the key fob in a closed tin or faraday bag.

 

Switch off and lock up: Never leave your car running idle and unattended, even when defrosting windscreens and windows on a cold morning.

 

Make life difficult: Fit security posts or a substantial gate if parking on your drive, physical barriers will make thieves think twice.

 

Don’t advertise your stuff: Never leave your belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you.

 

Keep paperwork indoors: Don’t store car documents or spare keys inside the car as it makes it easier for thieves to sell it on

 

Plan for the worst: Take car security measures to protect your car from being stolen in the first place, such as installing security lighting where you park your car and using a steering wheel lock. If criminals find a way to steal your car, having a vehicle tracker fitted can help the authorities to recover your vehicle.