The UK areas and London boroughs most targeted by car theft

January 23 2024

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In 2023, the UK saw a marked increase in car thefts and other related car crimes. As such, there are growing concerns that this increase in car crime could increase British driver’s car insurance. 

As such, many UK drivers and homeowners are turning to advanced security measures, such as video doorbells, smart cameras and CCTV systems. A video doorbell can serve as the first line of defence against car thieves, which, when coupled with either smart cameras or strategic CCTV placement, can protect your car and property. 

But you may be wondering: which areas in the UK are most targeted and susceptible to car thefts?

Our experts at ADT have researched the answer to that question. We have analysed the latest UK Government data on car thefts to determine the areas most targeted by car thefts. We have also looked at data from the DVLA to show which car models and colours are most targeted. We’ve also looked at catalytic converter thefts, the number of car insurance claims in the UK and how car thefts have changed over time. 

Areas in the UK most targeted by car thefts

1. Brentwood

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.84

Brentwood, a town in Essex, comes out as the area in the UK most targeted by car thefts as of the current financial year. The town has had 1.84 car thefts per 1,000 of its population. 

2. Walsall

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.39

The market town of Walsall in the West Midlands has the second-highest rate of car thefts in the UK. Walsall has had 1.39 car thefts per 1,000 people for the current financial year. 

3. Solihull

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.33

Solihull, another market town in the West Midlands, rounds out the top three areas in the UK most targeted by car theft. The market town has had around 1.33 car thefts per 1,000 people for the current financial year. 

Areas in the UK least targeted by car thefts

1. Isle of Anglesey

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 0.03

For areas in the UK that are least targeted by car thefts, we have the Isle of Anglesey in first place. During the current financial year, there have been just 0.03 car thefts per 1,000 of the population, making it the safest place to own a car. 

2. Powys

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 0.04

Powys, a principal area and county in Wales, is the UK area with the second-least number of car thefts per 1,000 people, at just 0.04. 

3. Ceredigion

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 0.06

The third safest place for car theft in the UK is Ceredigion, another principal area and county in Wales. During the current financial year, there have been just 0.06 car thefts per 1,000 of the population. 

London boroughs most targeted by car thefts

1. Enfield

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.62

Enfield is the London borough most targeted by car thefts for the current financial year. The London borough has had 1.62 car thefts per 1,000 of its population so far for the 23/24 financial year. 

2. Barking and Dagenham

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.41

The London Borough with the second-most car thefts is Barking and Dagenham. For the 23/24 financial year, Barking and Dagenham have had 1.41 car thefts per 1,000 people. 

3. Haringey

Number of Car Thefts per 1,000 People: 1.31

Haringey is the London borough with the third-most car thefts for the 23/24 financial year, with 1.31 car thefts per 1,000 people. 

Car models most targeted by car theft in the UK

1. Ford Fiesta

Number of Car Thefts: 6,015

The car model most targeted by thieves is the Ford Fiesta, which is also the most-owned car in the UK. Over the last 12 months, from October 2022 to September 2023, more than 6,000 Ford Fiesta’s were stolen in the UK. 

2. Ford Focus

Number of Car Thefts: 2,257

Coming in second is the Ford Focus, which is also the second most owned car in the UK, with around 1.3 million of them on the road, according to the DVLA. More than 2,200 of this car model were stolen in the UK between October 2022 and September 2023. 

3. Volkswagen Golf

Number of Car Thefts: 2,102

And rounding out the UK's top three most stolen cars, we have the Volkswagen Golf, the fourth most-owned car in the country. Over the last 12 months, just over 2,100 VW Golfs have been stolen. 

Car colours most targeted by car thefts in the UK

1. Black

Number of Car Thefts: 17,181

Black cars are the most commonly targeted by car thieves in the UK over the last 12 months, with just over 17,000 thefts. This may also be due to black cars generally having a higher ownership than other colours. 

2. Grey

Number of Car Thefts: 11,922

In second place, we have grey cars, of which there have been just under 12,000 stolen over the last 12 months. Recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that grey has been the most common car colour in the UK for five years running. 

3. White

Number of Car Thefts: 10,272

And third, we have white, the third-most common car colour in the UK. Over the last 12 months, more than 10,200 cars of this colour have been stolen. 

Areas in the UK most targeted by catalytic converter thefts

1. London (Metropolitan Police Service)

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 19,466

London’s Metropolitan Police reported the highest number of catalytic converter thefts in the UK. Between 2021 and 2023, just under 19,500 catalytic converters were stolen in the area. 

2. West Midlands

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 2,646

In second place is the West Midlands, which reported more than 2,600 catalytic converter thefts between 2021 and 2023. Additionally, seven of the top ten areas in the UK most targeted by car thieves are also located in the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Walsall.

3. Hertfordshire

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 1,852

And rounding out the top three in the UK’s most targeted areas for catalytic converter thefts, we have Hertfordshire. From 2021 to 2023, just under 1,900 such crimes have been committed in the area. 

Areas in the UK with the biggest increase in catalytic converter thefts

1. Norfolk

Average Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: 35%

Norfolk has seen the biggest and only increase in catalytic converter thefts in the UK, with a 35% increase on average in such crimes between 2021 and 2023. 

Areas in the UK with the biggest decrease in catalytic converter thefts

1. Gloucestershire

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -70%

Gloucestershire is the area in the UK that has seen the biggest decrease in catalytic converter thefts over the last few years. Between 2021 and 2023, the area has seen an average decrease of 70% in thefts of catalytic converters.

2. Humberside

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -68%

In second place, we have Humberside, which has seen an average decrease of 68% in catalytic converter thefts from 2021 to 2023.

3. West Yorkshire

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -68%

Rounding out the top three areas which has the biggest decrease in catalytic converter thefts, we have West Yorkshire. From 2021 to 2023, the area has had an average decrease of 68% in such thefts.

London boroughs most targeted by catalytic converter thefts

1. Barnet

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 1,598

The London borough targeted the most for catalytic converter thefts is Barnet, located in North London. Over the last three years, the borough has been targeted with almost 1,600 catalytic converter thefts. 

2. Hillingdon

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 1,243

Hillingdon is the second London borough most targeted for thefts of catalytic converters. Between 2021 and 2023, there have been more than 1,200 thefts of catalytic converters in this borough. 

3. Harrow

Total Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021-23: 1,159

And rounding out the top three, we have Harrow, where almost 1,200 catalytic converter thefts have occurred over the last three years. 

London boroughs with the biggest increase in catalytic converter thefts

1. Tower Hamlets

Average Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: 20%

Coming top, and the only London borough with an average increase in catalytic converter thefts, we have Tower Hamlets. Over the last three years, this borough has seen a 20% increase on average in the thefts of catalytic converters. 

1. Ealing

1. Brent

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -71%

The two London boroughs tied in first for the biggest decrease in catalytic converter thefts are Ealing and Brent. From 2021 to 2023, the two boroughs have had an average decrease of 71% in catalytic converter thefts. 

3. Camden

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -68%

Camden takes third place among London boroughs with the largest decrease in catalytic converter thefts. Between 2021 and 2023, there has been a 68% decrease in such crimes in Camden. 

4. Barnet

Average Decrease in Catalytic Converter Thefts 2021/23: -67%

Barnet takes fourth place, having seen an average decrease of 67% in catalytic converter thefts from 2021 to 2023. 

How car thefts in the UK have changed from 2015/16-2023/24

Car thefts in the UK have seen year-on-year increases over the last couple of years. During the 2022/23 financial year, there were more than 128,000 car thefts, a 19% increase from the prior year. However, from the 2015/16 financial year to the 2023/24 financial year, there has been an average decrease of 2% in car thefts. And with much of the 2023/24 financial year left, the final figures at the end of the year might further indicate a decrease in car thefts. Below are the areas in the UK with the biggest increases and decreases in car thefts.  

Areas in the UK with the biggest increase in car thefts

1. Eastbourne

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: 28%

Eastbourne, located on the southern coast of England, has had the largest increase in car thefts over the last nine financial years. From 2015/16 to 2023/24, there has been an average increase of 28% in car thefts in the town. 

2. Lichfield

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: 26%

Lichfield comes in second, with an increase of 26% on average in car thefts between the financial years of 2015/16 to 2023/24. Lichfield is also located in the West Midlands, where many of the top ten most targeted areas for car crime are.

3. Staffordshire Moorlands

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: 20%

And rounding out the top three areas in the UK with the largest increase in car thefts over the last nine years, we have the Staffordshire Moorlands. Between the 2015/16 and 2023/24 financial years, there has been an average increase of 20% in car thefts in the area. 

Areas in the UK with the biggest decrease in car thefts

1. Ceredigion

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: -15%

Ceredigion, a country in the west of Wales, comes out as the area in the UK with the biggest decrease in car thefts. Over the previous nine financial years, the area has seen a 15% decrease on average in car thefts. This also coincides with Ceredigion ranking third among areas that car thieves are least likely to target.

2. Ipswich

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: -14%

Coming in second place for areas in the UK with the biggest decrease in car thefts, we have Ipswich in Suffolk. The previous nine years have seen car theft decrease by an average of 14% in this town. 

3. Wirral

Average Change in Car Thefts 2015/16-2023/24: -11%

And rounding out the top three, we have the Merseyside borough of Wirral. This area has seen an average decrease of 11% in car thefts over the previous nine financial years. 

Car insurance claims in the UK

The number and total amount paid out from total car insurance claims during 2023 has increased based on last year's figures. During the second quarter of 2022, motor insurers paid out around £2 billion, which has increased by 29% this year to £2.5 billion. Additionally, the number of claims has also increased, with 592,000 settled claims already in 2023, an 18% increase from the previous year. 

In terms of payouts for vehicle thefts specifically, 2023's figure is £196 million, a 53% increase on the previous year's £128 million. This increase can be attributed to the rising number of car thefts and the increased cost of vehicles, especially the cost of second-hand cars, which increased by 28% from April 2021 to June 2023.

Easy car security tips most people can do: 

Install a home security system

Even the visible presence of a CCTV system, outdoor cameras and motion lights can be enough to deter thieves from targeting your car and property, as will a recognisable alarm bell box from a reputable company, showing your home is alarmed and monitored.

If you have a driveway, strategically placing cameras and lights to offer full coverage of every angle of your vehicle is particularly effective. Smart systems give you notifications when motion is detected on the cameras, and some can even emit noise or switch lights on within the property to give the appearance of occupancy to warn off prospective car thieves.

Don’t leave valuables on display or in the car

Refrain from keeping personal and valuable items in the car. Place these items in your boot or glove compartment if left unattended for long periods. It is also worth getting car insurance, including contents insurance, so you’re not out of pocket if your car is broken into.

Make use of your garage or park in a well-lit spot

If you have a garage, you should park in it for extra protection. Alternatively, if you don’t have a garage on your property, parking in a well-lit area can also deter car thieves. Parking under bright street lighting or installing motion-activated lights or lights on a timer via a smart plug can make it harder for car thieves to target your vehicle discreetly.

Set up an alarm system or tracking device

Another easy and affordable option is installing a loud alarm to protect your car, which will ward off thieves if it sounds while they are attempting to break in. Another good option is to install a tracking device in your vehicle. This device can help the police recover your car if it is stolen. However, thieves may be wise to such devices, so it may be worth also hiding something discreet such as an AirTag in the vehicle.

Louise Thomas, motoring insurance expert at Confused.com car insurance has commented:

“The cost of car insurance increased by an astonishing 58% over the past 12 months. Where you live and where your car is kept are factors that can impact your policy price, as these can make your car more liable to theft or vandalism. The demand for car parts led to an increase in vehicle thefts in 2022 and thieves use several techniques to break into and steal cars.

8 Common techniques used by thieves include:

• Keyless car theft
• Hanoi burglary
• Turbo decoder theft
• Transponder key cloning
• On-board diagnostics compromise
• Electronic control unit replacement
• Car key code grabbing
• GPS jamming device

Preventing car theft can sometimes be difficult, particularly as thieves are keeping up with the advances in vehicle technology but there are steps you can take to prevent theft: 

1. Have your car vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on each of the windows. Car thieves want an easy deal. They don’t want to go to the expense of replacing all the glass that could trace it back to its rightful owner.

2. Don’t advertise your items. Always hide sat-navs and other technology or take them into your house. Try to remove the sucker pad residue too as this can be a giveaway. Never leave anything else that’s portable in sight.

3. Check that you've locked your car. It’s not uncommon for key fobs to malfunction and leave your car unlocked. Thieves know this and test doors to see whether they’re unlocked for an easy steal.

4. Be aware of your car modifications, such as chrome hub caps. They could make your car more attractive to thieves and vandals.

5. Don’t keep your keys in obvious places. Thieves have been known to offer random services, like clearing gutters and taking car keys that are on display in the home. There's also where you store your keys - using an RFID blocker can prevent keys from being cloned.

6. Invest in car security. Steering wheel locks and handbrake locks are effective methods for protecting your car from thieves. 

7. Secure your data port. Many of the functions in your car are controlled by technology. It can also be used to unlock and start your vehicle. By installing a lockable data port cover you can block unwanted access.

8. Fit a tracking device. Although this doesn't prevent your car from being stolen, it can improve its chances of being recovered.”

Methodology 

We wanted to show the number of car thefts and how that figure has changed over time. To do so, we used the UK government's ‘Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables’ to take the number of ‘Theft of a motor vehicle’ crimes committed for each area in the UK. We took the figure for each area for the 2023/24 financial year (which runs from April 6th, 2022, to April 5th, 2023) to determine which area and London borough is currently worse affected by car thefts, calculating this figure per 1,000 of each area's population. We then took the figures for each available financial year (which runs from April 6th to April 5th each year), 2015/16 to 2023/24, in order to compare the average change in car thefts over the years. 

Population figures were taken from ONS ‘Recorded crime data by Community Safety Partnership area’ in Table C5.

We then used a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA to get the number of each car model that had been stolen in the last 12 months (October 2022 - September 2023) and also the colour of each car stolen. We used this to determine the most commonly stolen car models and colours. 

We then used a Freedom of Information request to multiple areas of police forces to get the number of catalytic converter thefts between 2021 and 2023. We then ranked each area and London borough to determine where catalytic converter thefts were happening and where they were increasing over the three years. 

Referencing ABI’s ‘Keeping the UK moving – record motor insurance payouts to keep drivers mobile’, we were also able to have a look at the state of car insurance claims in 2023.