Vehicle thefts up a third

Stolen vehicle recovery experts Tracker has found that thefts have risen by more than 32% in the first half of the year, as the UK has come out of lockdown.

Tracker recovered over £4.2m-worth of stolen vehicles in total during January to June, of which 4x4s accounted for £2.6m. The highest value car stolen and recovered during this period was a Range Rover Sport worth £94,000 in May, with Range Rover and Land Rover models accounting for 29% of the total stolen vehicles recovered by Tracker in the six months.

Meanwhile, Tracker’s latest data reports that 92% of the stolen cars recovered January to June were taken by thieves compromising the signal from the vehicle’s key fob.

Added to this, insurers have revealed that keyless vehicles account for almost half of all reported ‘theft of vehicle’ claims.

Clive Wain said: “Now that almost all restrictions have formally lifted, all car owners need to be aware of the risk and take steps to protect their vehicles, beyond relying on a factory-fitted alarm. Visible physical deterrents that help dissuade many would-be criminals include alarm systems, wheel clamps and steering locks. Those with keyless entry vehicles also need to safeguard their key fob, for example, keeping them inside a metal container that blocks the key’s signal so it cannot be extended to remotely unlock and start the vehicle.”

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