Vehicle thefts on the rise in 2023

David Ross, Editor
Tue, 10 Oct 2023

Car theft rates have rocketed by 40% in the first six months of 2023 with Range Rover models remaining the most targeted models.

Data from Tracker shows that motorcycle thefts are also on the rise, increasing by a staggering 113% compared to 2022. Thefts of vans and light commercial vehicles have also risen by 20%.

Range Rover and Land Rover models remain the most commonly recovered stolen cars with the Range Rover Sport leading the pack. However, the Lexus RX 450h has become the second most frequently stolen and recovered vehicle.

Among the recovered cars, Tracker disclosed that the highest-value stolen vehicle reclaimed during January to June 2023 was a Mercedes-Benz with a retail price tag of £182,000, while the lowest-value recovery was an Audi A4, valued at £1000.

One concerning trend that continues to escalate is keyless car theft and 'relay attack.' Over the years, it has seen steady growth, with 93% of thefts now conducted without the use of the owner's keys, as opposed to 80% in 2017.

"The persistent shortage of new and used vehicles, along with spare parts, still affects theft rates, even though supply chain challenges have slightly eased in recent months," says Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker.

"However, the push for zero emissions and the rise of clean air and zero emissions zones, including the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone, have driven a surge in electric and hybrid vehicle sales."

Wain emphasized that this surge in sales is mirrored in car thefts, as seen in the rapid ascent of the hybrid Lexus RX450h to the second spot on the most-recovered table.

"Professional criminals steal to order and to meet market demand," he explained. "So, it is unsurprising to see a hybrid being stolen so often. We expect to see an even greater number of low and zero emissions vehicles in our list of recoveries, taking more of the top spots."

Top 5 models recovered by Tracker