UK motorists warned as vehicle key thefts surge by 4,500% in 5 years.
- ChoiceQuote analysed Police Force data to reveal the most common stolen car parts across the UK
- London is the UK’s vehicle part theft capital, with nearly 300 thefts recorded for every 10,000 vehicles in the capital
- Vehicle key thefts surge by almost 4,500% in just 5 years
While total vehicle crime has reached a five-year low in many UK regions, thieves are increasingly targeting specific components such as steering wheels, vehicle badges, and number plates, with an average of 29 plates stolen every single day across the UK.
By analysing Freedom of Information data from 23 police constabularies across the UK, specialist motor trade insurance provider, ChoiceQuote has identified which vehicle parts are most often stolen and mapped the areas where motorists are most likely to fall victim to vehicle part theft.
The data shows significant growth in the theft of interior parts and accessories. Steering wheel thefts have risen by 967% over the past five years, while vehicle badge thefts increased by 1,547% in the same period. The most substantial growth was recorded in vehicle key thefts, which have increased by 4,482% since 2021.
Beyond the national trends, ChoiceQuote also analysed the regions reporting the highest and lowest levels of vehicle thefts. This was based on data provided by the 23 police forces that responded to the request.
Leading the national figures is London’s Metropolitan Police, which recorded a staggering 89,570 thefts from vehicles over a five-year period which equates to 299 incidents per 10,000 vehicles registered in the city.
Bedfordshire Police recorded the second-highest risk level with thefts of vehicle parts amounting to 204 per 10,000 vehicles registered in the region. Notably, Bedfordshire is also among the regions showing the smallest improvement in the research, seeing a 24% decrease in thefts since 2021.
Cleveland ranks third with 151 thefts per 10,000 vehicles. However, it also recorded a 72% drop in thefts since 2021, marking it as one of the most improved areas in the research.
Leading the safety figures is Northern Ireland, which recorded just 5 thefts per 10,000 vehicles over the recorded five-year period.
Surrey was identified as the second safest region in the UK for vehicle part theft. Not only has the region experienced just 7 vehicle part thefts per 10,000 vehicles in the past five years, but it has also seen one of the most rapid declines in crime, with an 82% improvement since 2021.
In third position is Norfolk, with a rate of 13 vehicle part thefts per 10,000 from 2021 to 2025. This safety ranking is bolstered by a significant 50% reduction in vehicle part thefts since 2021.
Chris Galloway, Head of Trading at insurance broker ChoiceQuote, said, “These findings highlight a significant shift in criminal behaviour across the UK. While it is positive to see overall vehicle crime hitting five-year lows in many regions, the evolution of theft remains a growing concern for motorists. As security threats change, it is essential that our protection measures keep pace.
“From an insurance perspective, even the theft of a seemingly small part can lead to expensive repair bills, increased premiums, and the loss of a hard-earned no claims bonus. To mitigate these risks, we recommend that drivers adopt a layered approach to security. This includes using physical deterrents such as steering wheel locks and sensor alarms. By securing high-risk parts, drivers can avoid the long-term financial impact of expensive repairs and rising insurance premiums.”
