Top 20 car theft hotspots – Automotive Blog

Higher London is the automotive theft capital of the UK by a mile, in accordance to an intensive examine by a number one motor insurer.

Co-op Insurance coverage discovered that the highest 10 areas with highest charges of automotive crime within the UK are all present in London.

Based mostly on the frequency of automotive theft claims as a share of insurance policies in particular areas between 2017 and 2021, the London borough of Islington has essentially the most automotive theft crimes, whereas the district of Torridge in Devon has the bottom.

Prime 20 UK automobile theft hotspots (by frequency of claims)

Co-op Insurance coverage, 2017-2021

On the subject of which makes and fashions of automobiles are more than likely to be focused, the examine reveals that it’s smaller, lower-priced autos which are favoured by thieves.

The three automobiles stolen most continuously, by quantity of whole claims over the 4 years, are the Ford Fiesta, the Honda Jazz and the Ford Focus.

Prime 20 postcodes exterior London more than likely to have a theft (by frequency of claims)

Co-op Insurance coverage, 2017-2021

“We need to do all we are able to to assist automotive house owners preserve their autos secure – they’ll do that by researching automotive crime ranges in their very own space and by following some easy steps that may deter a thief,” mentioned Paul Evans, Head of Motor Insurance coverage at Co-op Insurance coverage.

Prime tricks to beat the automotive thieves

1. Assume earlier than you park: in case your automotive’s not at house, if doable, park it in a well-lit space, close to to individuals and different automobiles and someplace the place it may simply be seen, ideally monitored by CCTV or a safety patrol.
2. Wheels at an angle: when parking on the road, ensure that your automotive wheels are going through the curb (except parking uphill or on a hill). Because of this anybody making an attempt to hurry off in your automotive should launch the steering wheel lock first. It additionally helps get rid of the possibility of a thief towing or pushing your automotive away to a quieter spot.
3. Spend money on deterrents: one thing so simple as a visual steering lock can actually put a automotive thief off. For those who don’t have one fitted, and you’ve got the sources, contemplate including a automotive alarm, immobiliser, monitoring machine or sprint cam.
4. Doorways to handbook: you would possibly assume that by clicking your key fob, your automotive has mechanically been locked however more and more cheap remote-control jamming know-how might be bought on-line which blocks alerts to your automotive: this implies you’re unknowingly leaving it utterly unlocked and never alarmed. At all times ensure that to manually test the doorways and boot earlier than you stroll away.
5. Keep away from temptation: by no means go away beneficial objects comparable to luggage, garments, sat navs, designer sun shades, unfastened change, or cellphones on show. This might immediate an opportunistic thief to smash a window and take your belongings. Guarantee your automotive appears to be like empty and free from costly objects.
6. Change off your engine: don’t go away your automotive operating while you nip off to run an errand – you’re making it too straightforward for automotive thieves to reap the benefits of an empty driving seat.
7. Gasoline stations: if nobody is sitting in your automotive, lock it as you go to pay to your gas in any other case this provides a thief a perfect alternative to strike.
8. Be environment conscious: to keep away from being a sufferer of carjacking, when in sluggish shifting visitors or a visitors jam, lock your home windows and doorways, place valuables out of sight and stay alert, particularly if travelling at night time or driving a convertible.