The Growing Threat

Car Theft in The United Kingdom Continues To Rise

🌐 The Growing Threat: Car Theft on the Rise in the UK

Car thefts in the UK are experiencing a startling shift—from smash-and-grab jobs to high-tech relay attacks targeting modern keyless vehicles. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 129,159 vehicles were stolen in England and Wales—a number that stands at a 15-year high. Shockingly, 60–70% of these thefts involved cars with keyless entry systems AInvest+3The Guardian+3The Sun+3hampshire.police.uk+4Compare the Market+4hard-off-security.com+4.

🔓 Keyless Entry: Convenience at a Cost

Keyless technology, once praised for convenience, has become a criminal gateway. Using simple relay devices, thieves can intercept, clone, and extend the wireless signal from a key fob—allowing cars to be unlocked and driven off without any physical access to the vehicle. These relay attacks often take less than a minute and leave no trace of forced entry crimestoppers-uk.org+3The Scotsman+3Car Keys Solutions+3.

🧠 Brands Most Affected

High-value and high-demand models are preferred targets. Brands like Toyota (notably the Hilux), Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Ford, and Land Rover regularly feature among the most stolen vehicles in official statistics The Sun. In 2024, thefts of the Toyota Hilux surged by 549%, making it the most stolen model in the UK with 584 units taken The Sun+1The Scottish Sun+1.

Meanwhile, Land Rover has responded with a multi-million pound investment in police efforts and security upgrades; as a result, its models no longer feature in the top 22 most stolen list The Sun.

💷 The Insurance Impact

The financial consequences are staggering. The average theft claim payout hit around £11,200 in Q4 2024, contributing to a record £11.7 billion in total motor insurance claims last year abi.org.uk. Rising theft—a key driver of these payouts—is pushing premiums higher: the average cost of motor cover ended 2024 at £622, 15% higher than in 2023 The Scottish Sun+4abi.org.uk+4moneyweek.com+4.

Car crime hotspots—such as London, Greater Manchester, Essex, Warwickshire, and others—contribute heavily to this trend, with insurers increasingly adjusting prices based on local threat levels hard-off-security.com.

🛡 How Drivers Can Stay Safe

Despite the scale of the problem, drivers can adopt effective measures to protect themselves:

1. Use Faraday pouches or signal-blocking containers to store your key fob when not in use—this prevents relayed signals from being captured The Scotsman+15crimestoppers-uk.org+15swinton.co.uk+15.

2. Turn off keyless entry features, where possible, or opt for motion-sensing fobs that deactivate when stationary en.wikipedia.org+8whatcar.com+8reddit.com+8.

3. Install physical deterrents—steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, parking posts, or secured garages remain effective against theft, even electronic bypasses The Sun+2beverleymotorworks.co.uk+2swinton.co.uk+2.

4. Consider trackers and upgraded immobilisers. Devices like CANbus immobilisers or Thatcham-approved trackers enhance recovery rates and may reduce insurance premiums Car Keys Solutions.

5. Keep vehicle software updated, particularly if the manufacturer has released anti-theft updates (e.g. post‑February 2024 Hyundai models) The Sun+2The Guardian+2The Sun+2.
   

🔍 Conclusion

The rise in UK car thefts—especially those exploiting keyless technology—is reshaping the landscape of auto crime and insurance. As criminal methods adapt rapidly, both car owners and insurers must stay vigilant. For drivers, employing layered security measures—from Faraday pouches and steering locks to trackers and software updates—is no longer optional, but essential.