UK fleets urged to take anti vehicle theft security measures

New data has revealed that nearly a quarter of UK fleet owners have no security measures in place to prevent vehicle theft.

According to NFU Mutual, a UK-based fleet insurer, 23% of fleet owners have no anti-theft measures in place, and that figure rises to 45% among of smaller fleets.

This is despite vehicle theft rising to all-time across Europe, with data from Statista revealing that there were 130,521 motor vehicle thefts in England and Wales in 2022/23, a large increase compared with the previous year.

This places the UK second on the list of European counties where vehicle theft is most prevalent, behind Italy, with the top three targeted models being the Ford Fiesta (5,979), the Ford Focus (2,120), and the Volkswagen Golf (2,038).

The highest number of vehicle thefts were recorded in Greater London, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire.

Vehicle theft

NFU Mutual said the rise in vehicle theft is not just a result of criminal activity but the evolution of technology. Organised crime gangs are stealing cars to order and deploying widely available technology to carry out ‘relay attacks’ on keyless entry vehicles.

The company said:

“This technology simplifies and speeds up the theft process, and it is a clear example of technology-breaking technology. It’s crucial for fleet owners to be aware of this and take necessary precautions.”