Motor vehicle theft has surged in certain areas across the United Kingdom - with certain police chiefs reportedly admitting that they are struggling to cope in the war against criminals.
Now, the vehicles which are most likely to be taken have been revealed.
Brazen thugs have stolen cars from all areas including driveways and estates, with thousands swiped across the West Midlands alone last year Birmingham Live reports.
Read more: Shameless Newcastle father and son jailed after stealing four cars in one night
And the while the most popular vehicles of choice include luxurious Mercedes, BMWs and Land Rovers - the car stolen most often last year was the humble Ford Fiesta. That's according to research by car security firm Vehicle Defence, which analysed latest crime data
Fords, BMWs, Mercedes and Vauxhalls all featured prominently on the list of most nicked cars. And drivers of these models may want to be extra cautious that their vehicle is safe.
Car models stolen most often
- Ford Fiesta
- Range Rover
- Ford Focus
- VW Golf
- Mercedes C-Class
- BMW 3 Series
- Land Rover Discovery
- Vauxhall Corsa
- Vauxhall Astra
- Mercedes E-Class
West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine admitted this week car crime had not come down as had been hoped following the diverting of extra manpower towards the issue. She said global demand for parts, as well as the rise in use of keyless technology, was driving offending and making their job harder.
The top cop revealed how officers would close a chop shop one week, then another would open the week after. DCC Jardine said: "This has been a real stubborn issue for us to tackle. We have seen some increases in vehicle crime, particularly around theft of actual vehicles."
She added: "We would have hoped our real focus on the offenders, on executing warrants, on chop shops, on handlers, all that activity, would have seen a decrease, because it traditionally does, and we just haven't seen that."
Will Cheshire, director at Vehicle Defence, added: “Criminals are always looking for ways to steal cars, so it’s essential that drivers take all necessary precautions. Knowing which models are being targeted will help people identify any potential risks and take action accordingly.”
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