RAC comment on vehicle crime figures from annual crime survey

RAC insurance spokesman Simon Williams said: “After decades of falling vehicle crime, these latest statistics show that the trend has sadly reversed. While we know that the picture is an uneven one across the country, the fact that 32,000 more people were victims of car theft last year compared to 2016 is nothing short of shocking.

“The increase can probably be put down at least in part to the rise of more digitally-savvy criminals who try to exploit vulnerabilities in modern car security systems – although we know manufacturers will do all they can to keep their vehicles secure.

“There’s a lot drivers can do to reduce the chances of being a victim of this sort of crime – from always parking in well-lit, public places and making sure their vehicle’s software is up-to-date, right through to installing ‘low tech’ equipment like steering wheel locks that could be enough to deter thieves.”