Nine of the top 10 car theft locations in the UK are in London

THE TOP 20 Car Theft Places in the UK Revealed in a New Poll, and that’s not good news for drivers who live in London.

Co-op Car Insurance’s survey looked at the frequency of policyholder claims since 2016, and the number one location for theft claims was Lambeth in south London. The affluent Kensington and Chelsea had the second highest number of car thefts, followed by Ealing – both boroughs in west London.

In fact, London boroughs took nine of the top 10 spots in the poll, with Watford in Hertfordshire as an intruder in nine (although it is still on the M25 London Orbital motorway). The leading hotspot in the north of England was Preston, Lancashire, at the age of 13.

At the other end of the table, Moray in Scotland, Denbighshire in Wales and Mid Devon in England can claim to have the lowest claims frequency for their respective countries.

Affordable cars are the most likely to be stolen

Co-op Insurance’s survey also found the cars most likely to be attacked by thieves, whether stolen or broken into.

Unsurprisingly, the UK’s best-selling car in recent years, the Ford Fiesta, ranks first in this part of the poll, while other popular models such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf complete the top 5.

The rest of the top 10, however, consists of luxury models from Land Rover, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, which provide a glimpse into vehicles that are attractive to thieves to clone and sell, or cars that are robbed of their valuable parts.

To help motorists reduce the risk of vehicle theft, Co-op Insurance has introduced an interactive tool called Park Smart that helps users identify safe streets to park. An interactive map shows how many reports of vehicle theft, vehicle theft and vandalism there have been for a selected location in the last six months.

Co-op Insurance’s head of auto insurance, Paul Evans, said, “Theft of a car is one of the most painful experiences a person can go through, and unfortunately it is still something that spoils everyday life.

“People with smaller and perhaps cheaper cars need to be aware that these vehicles are hot property for car thieves.”

Tips to make your car less attractive to thieves

• Park in a well-lit area, near people and other cars, and in a clearly visible place
• A visible steering lock can deter a car thief. Consider adding a car alarm, immobilizer, tracking device, and hardwired dashcam with a parking mode
• The increasingly affordable remote control jamming technology can block the key fob’s signal to your car and prevent you from locking it – always check that the lights are flashing and the doors are properly locked
• Never leave items such as bags, clothing, portable navigation devices, designer sunglasses, cash, or cell phones on the display. Make sure your car looks empty and free of expensive items
• Do not leave your car standing when you get out, not even for a short time – thieves can quickly take advantage of an empty driver’s seat
• Lock your car when paying for fuel at a kiosk
• Lock your windows and doors in slow-moving traffic to deter casual thieves. Keep valuables out of sight and stay vigilant, especially when traveling at night or driving a convertible

Top 20 UK auto theft hotspots by damage frequency

Source: Cooperative Insurance, 2016-2020

1. Lambeth, South London
2. Kensington and Chelsea, West London
3. Ealing, West London
4. Southwark in central London
5. Lewisham, East London
6. Wandsworth, South London
7. Greenwich, East London
8. Hounslow, North London
9. Watford, Hertfordshire
10. Westminster, central London
11. Hammersmith and Fulham, West London
12. Three Rivers, Hertfordshire
13. Preston, Lancashire
14. Slough, Berkshire
15. Spelthorne, Surrey
16. Stevenage, Hertfordshire
17. Barking and Dagenham, East London
18. Havering, East London
19. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
20. Southampton, Hampshire

The 10 most common cars with reported theft damage as a percentage of total theft damage

Source: Cooperative Insurance, 2016-2020

1. Ford Fiesta
2. Ford Focus
3. Opel Corsa
4. Opel astra
5. Volkswagen Golf
6. Range Rover Evoque
7. Land Rover Discovery
8. Audi A3
9. Mercedes C-Class
10. Audi A4

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