02/03/2009
The Home Office's quarterly crime statistics have publicised a six per cent decrease in offences against vehicles*. However, Andrew Smith, Managing Director of Cobra UK, European market leader for stolen vehicle tracking services, announced a 129 per cent increase in vehicle thefts from quarter three to quarter four in 2008**.
"Although Home Office figures illustrate a decline in offences against vehicles, in Cobra UK's experience, this is not the case," reports Andrew Smith. "We usually see vehicle thefts increase in the run-up to Christmas, but we saw a significant rise in 2008. This could be due to the current economic climate and we predict there will be further effects on vehicle crime in the coming months."
Whilst the Home Office reports that vehicle crime is on the decrease, it indicates a four per cent rise in burglary, with 69,000 cases between July and September last year***. However, as methods of obtaining vehicles have changed with improvements in alarm and immobiliser systems, the most common method of obtaining vehicle keys, in order to steal cars, is through domestic burglary (37%)****.
"Burglary has become the most popular method for obtaining vehicle keys," stated Mr Smith. "Almost all modern vehicles are fitted with effective anti-theft systems as standard, but these do not stop a criminal unlocking your vehicle and driving away if they have the key. Due to the way crime is recorded, it could suggest that in cases where a vehicle is stolen after a burglary, this is only recorded as an offence against the home."
Further statistics obtained from police forces suggest that as the financial crisis hit in the run-up to Christmas, crime increased across the board. The figures indicate that burglary and robbery rose in 31 out of 43 forces across England and Wales from September to December 2008 compared to the final months of the previous year. Within the 31 areas, this amounted to an additional 5,572 offences compared to 2007*****.
With this increase in vehicle thefts, Cobra UK is warning motorists to be proactive and fit a GPS tracking system, such as CobraTrak, to significantly increase the chances of a vehicle being located and returned if stolen.
* Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2008, 22 January 2009.
** Based on Cobra UK statistics
*** Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2008, 22 January 2009.
****The Home Office, Crime Reduction. Vehicle Crime, Emerging Methods of Car theft - Theft of Keys. http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/vehiclecrime/vehiclecrime44.htm
***** The Independent, 17 January 2009.
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