The Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands and West Yorkshire Police suffer some of the highest vehicle crime rates in the UK, new research reveals.

Northgate delved into the latest annual data by the Government and local police departments to reveal the areas in the UK which see the highest, and lowest, reports of vehicle crime.

The results reveal the areas with the highest (and lowest) incidents of vehicle crime in the UK.

Highest Instances of Vehicle Crime

1. Metropolitan Police Service
2. West Midlands Police
3. West Yorkshire Police
4. Thames Valley Police
5. Essex Police

The data shows the Met recorded over 100,000 incidents of vehicle crime last year – highest levels were in the month of November.

West Midlands Police saw nearly 70% less reported incidents than the capital, but still came in second with just over 30,000 incidents last year alone. While the number of incidents steadily increased throughout last year, it was December that saw the highest. Just under 92% of the crimes in this month saw a complete investigation with no suspect identified.

West Yorkshire Police sits in third with over 14,000 automotive felonies in the latest annual data. The highest number of reports came in October – although across UK forces last year, it was November.

Lowest Instances of Vehicle Crime

1. City of London Police
2. Dyfed-Powys Police
3. Cumbria Constabulary
4. North Wales Police
5. North Yorkshire Police

The City of London Police, which governs the inner city of the capital – predominantly the financial business district, received the lowest reports of vehicle crime last year. According to the data, both January and April saw only six instances of vehicle crime, all bar one having a complete investigation with no suspect identified.

Dyfed-Powys Police recorded the second-lowest incidents of vehicle crime in the latest annual data. This force, responsible for the Welsh areas of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, saw only 604 reports last year. The highest numbers were recorded in June, receiving 76 reports of vehicle crime.

Sitting close-behind in third is Cumbria Constabulary with 732 automotive felonies across this area. The highest number of reports were made in October with 91 crimes, 67% of which saw a complete investigation with no suspect identified, while just under 20% were unable to prosecute a suspect.

Further analysis of the data shows that for the decade leading up to 2020, the door being unlocked was cited as the most common method of entry for theft surrounding vehicles, while breaking the window (or attempting to) has steadily decreased over the years. In the same time frame, thefts in the morning or afternoon increased by 113%, while thefts at the weekend decreased.

Neil McCrossan, sales and marketing director at Northgate, said: “We know how precious our vehicles can be to us and how much it can impact our everyday lives if something is to happen to them. We decided to look at the areas that saw the most, and least, vehicle crime last year to get an annual perspective of where people may need to be extra cautious of their vehicles.

“Remember to always double check if your vehicle is locked and use a steering lock if your car or van is keyless. If you can, park your car in a garage or enclosed driveway, but if you need to park on the road choose a spot that is well lit. Try not to keep any valuables in your car and clear your vehicle of clutter.”

For the full Northgate analysis of the UK’s vehicle crime hotspots, click here.