The latest figures show that the number of car thefts in the Thames Valley has increased this year compared to a year ago.
In the year to June, Thames Valley Police recorded a total of 4,018 crimes of ‘theft or unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle’, a 23% increase on the previous year’s figure of 3,255. This is also an increase compared to the same period five years ago, when 2,799 such crimes were registered in the area.
The increase in vehicle thefts can be attributed to a number of factors, including the increasing sophistication of car thieves and the growing popularity of keyless entry systems.
Police are urging drivers to take steps to protect their vehicles from theft, such as using steering wheel locks and parking in garages where possible.
Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, a member of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Vehicle Theft Panel, said: ‘Intelligence suggests that a large proportion of vehicle thefts can be attributed to organized crime gangs.
He added: “Tackling vehicle crime requires a number of different angles and we can only achieve this by working closely with government and industry partners.