Vehicle theft down 12%

The latest figures from the Home Office reveal that vehicle thefts fell by 12% in the year ending June 2008. However, while these figures suggest a definite improvement in tackling this invidious crime, TRACKER, the UK leader in stolen vehicle tracking, is warning motorists to continue to do everything they can to protect themselves from vehicle crime.

“TRACKER data now shows that the majority of our customers’ cars that are stolen are as a result of car key thefts by burglary or robbery,” reports Stuart Chapman, TRACKER’s Police Relationships Manager and a former senior Police Officer himself. “There have also been examples of fraud, where clients have been trying to sell their cars and unwittingly parted company with the vehicle in exchange for a forged banker’s draft.

“The reality is that although vehicle thefts are down, criminals are using more and more sophisticated tricks to get around improved vehicle security. And whilst many people may see car criminals as youngsters involved in joy-riding, car theft is still a lucrative activity for the criminal fraternity. Car owners shouldn’t, therefore, be lulled into a false sense of security.

“It’s easy for consumers to be confused by crime statistics” continued Chapman. “For instance, if car keys are stolen from inside the owner’s home and the car is taken, it is likely to be classified as burglary. Similarly, a car owner who is threatened with violence and hands over their car keys allowing the criminal to drive off in the car could be classified as robbery.

“These examples show that there could be vehicle crimes taking place that aren’t immediately apparent in the basic statistics. We therefore urge motorists to remain vigilant. Their car is probably their second most expensive possession after their house, so we advise motorists to make sure they do everything they can to protect it from criminals.”