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Car thieves feel no deterrent as vehicle thefts rise over the decade, says Shrewsbury security expert
Overview
A Shrewsbury vehicle security expert has stated that car thieves feel no risk of being caught, amid findings that vehicle thefts across England and Wales have risen by nearly fifty percent over the past decade while the proportion of solved cases has dropped significantly. West Mercia Police reported 1,338 vehicle thefts last year, with only 3.7% resulting in a charge or summons. While police highlighted a recent decrease in local offences and warned of sophisticated keyless theft methods, experts and victims emphasize the emotional and practical toll of vehicle crime and the necessity of additional physical security measures.
Key points
- Car thefts across England and Wales have increased by nearly 50% over the last decade, while the proportion of solved cases has fallen to just 3%.
- In the West Mercia Police area, only 3.7% of the 1,338 vehicle thefts recorded last year resulted in a charge or summons.
- Shrewsbury security expert William Church stated that thieves face minimal risk and exploit keyless entry technology by relaying signals from inside homes.
- West Mercia Police vehicle crime lead Charlie Parker noted that local offences fell by almost 20% recently, and encouraged reporting all crimes to build intelligence.
- Police and security experts recommend extra physical deterrents like steering wheel locks, keycode immobilisers, and storing key fobs away from doors and windows.