New police data has revealed a worrying increase in stolen vehicles across our region and the rest of the UK.
That’s according to RAC insurance who studied 40 police forces across the country.
Across Tyne and Wear, there’s been a 30% increase as thieves continue to bypass modern vehicle security systems.
A freedom of information request showed that a total of 65,783 vehicles were reported stolen in 2013 to 40 police forces in England and Wales, but by 2016 this had risen to 85,688.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, more vehicles are stolen in London than anywhere else in the UK.
Outside London, the region with the highest reported number of vehicles stolen is the West Midlands with West Midlands Police reporting 5,930 thefts, a 43% increase on 2013 (4,161) and a 33% on 2015 (4,474), closely followed by West Yorkshire Police with 5,597 which recorded a 57% rise when compared to the 2013 figures.
Top 5 reported thefts of vehicles:
1 – Metropolitan Police
2 – West Midlands Police
3 – West Yorkshire Police
4 – Greater Manchester Police
5 – Essex Police