Vehicle-related theft fell by some 51% in the period 1997-2006. This still equated to some 199,531 cars being stolen in England, Scotland and Wales in 2005.
Cars 12 and 14 years old (registered between 1990 and 1992) faced the greatest risk of being stolen, with a theft rate of 22 cars per 1,000 registered according to The Car Theft Index.
Whilst the car stolen most often in 2005 was the Vauxhall Belmont with 76 being stolen for every 1000 registered, overall, cars over 9 years old continue to account for two-thirds of all cars stolen.
The small saloon/hatchbacks categorised under the heading Minis and Superminis such as the Mini, Metro, Corsa etc. remain most at risk of being stolen.
People Carriers and 4×4s fair better with only 4 stolen per 1,000 registered.
Newer cars registered between 2002 and 2004 were the proud holders of the title “least likely to be stolen” having the lowest rates of theft with only 3 stolen per 1,000 registered.
The survey further supports the fact that cars fitted with car alarms or immobilisers are far less likely to be stolen.
The British Crime Survey consistently reports that around 67% of vehicle crimes occur near the home with the streets right outside people’s homes accounting for 41% of all theft related incidents in 2004-05.
Now the risk of theft reported in the index does not necessarily match the insurance group rating applied by insurance companies as they also take vehicle accident repair costs into account and also refer to the New Vehicle Security Rating compiled by Thatcham from which insurance companies have developed their own 5 start rating scheme.
If you would like to find out more about the survey and the Security Rating for the car you own or are thinking of buying, it would be worth looking at the The Car Theft Index and thatcham.org | New Vehicle Security Ratings.
Source: Home Office. Gov.uk/car-theft-index
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