That’s according to TRACKER as it reports a 12% increase in the number of stolen vehicles recovered across the UK in 2015.

The firm’s figures show that in London held onto its top spot, while three Range Rover models dominated SVR figures within London – the Sport, Vogue and Autobiography – as well as also appearing in TRACKER’s ‘UK top 10 most stolen and recovered’ table.

Greater Manchester held the second highest number of stolen and recovered cars in 2015 after the Capital, knocking Essex off the number two spot that it held in 2014. Models from the Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles were the most commonly stolen and recovered in Greater Manchester.

West Midlands retains third position for the second year in a row, where BMWs were the most stolen and recovered.

Regions in the south east of England dominated the list including Essex, Kent, Surrey and Hertfordshire, where BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover were favoured in equal measure by thieves.

West Yorkshire and Merseyside represent the north of England; Merseyside reappears in the league table for the first time in a couple of years where Audi was most recorded as stolen and recovered.

In joint tenth place for regional hot spots were Lancashire and Leicestershire; Leicestershire replaces Lanarkshire which disappears from the top ten list in 2015.

Andy Barrs, head of police liaison at TRACKER, said: “Our analysis highlights some interesting consumer manufacturer preferences by region, as well as an overall shift in the most desirable makes and models that thieves are stealing to order, with 4x4s dominating our top ten.

“However, whilst it’s common for car thieves to target premium marques, we should not underestimate the massive appetite for Ford, Vauxhall, and VW models which are stolen in even greater numbers, but which most owners do not protect by fit tracking devices.”

He added: “A Home Office Report published in January this year suggests that fitting a tracking device could be the best solution against criminals succeeding in selling on stolen vehicles.”

Top 10 cars by make and model most frequently stolen and recovered: 2015
1. Range Rover Sport
2. BMW X5
3. Range Rover Vogue
4. Mercedes Benz C220
5. BMW 3 Series
6. Mercedes Benz C63
7. BMW 5 Series
8. Audi RS4
9. Range Rover Autobiography
10. Audi Q7

Top 10 regions for stolen and recovered vehicles: 2015
1. Greater London
2. Greater Manchester
3. West Midlands
4. Essex
5. Kent
6. Surrey
7. West Yorkshire
8. Hertfordshire
9. Merseyside
10. = Lancashire/Leicestershire