Office of National Statistics reveals vehicle theft numbers

New figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed that 129,159 vehicles were stolen between April 2023 and March 2024.

This compares to 130,119 vehicle thefts for same period in 2022-23

The number of items stolen from vehicles during this period was recorded at 193,023, which is a 12% fall on the 218,431 recorded during the previous 12 months.

However, vehicle interference or tampering, such as removing parts of the vehicle, rose two per cent from 52,268 to 53,369. Vehicle tampering includes taking parts from a vehicle such as a catalytic convertor.

Vehicle theft numbers

Gus Park, managing director of AA Insurance Services, said:

“Every day more than 500 vehicles are broken into, while 350 are stolen. Despite the year-on-year reduction for these offences, the figures are simply too high. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that every stolen car increases the cost of claims and pushes premiums up for everyone.

“A simple way to help reduce the cost of insurance is to target vehicle crime and do everything possible to eliminate vehicle theft. While there is no one single thing to completely protect your vehicle, our advice to drivers is to install approved alarms, immobilisers, or steering locks and to never leave valuables on display in the car.”

Its Motoring Manifesto, launched earlier this year, calls for more officers to tackle motor-related crime, as well as renewed focus on road quality, a freeze on fuel duty, reducing Insurance Premium Tax, and reintroducing incentives for drivers to switch to electric vehicles.