Own one of these car models? They are most likely to be stolen

Car manufacturers are partly responsible for the boom in car thefts in the Midlands by not doing enough to make popular models secure, the region’s police commissioner has claimed. Simon Foster has called on car giants to do more to ensure vehicles are protected from thieves.^[1]

Fords, Land Rovers, Volkswagen and Vauxhalls are among models stolen most often, with thousands of these family favourites owned across the region. Mr Foster wants car makers to follow the lead of Jaguar Land Rover ^[2], which has retro-fitted a variety of models made between 2018 and 2022, with security fixes following an increase in thefts.

He said it was vital that manufacturers took their share of responsibility for a rise in car thefts, while also encouraging drivers to use items like steering wheel locks and Faraday pouches, to make it more difficult for thieves. Range Rovers were revealed among the most-stolen cars in the UK last year, due to their high re-sale value and keyless technology that criminals exploit – a figure reflected in the West Midlands.

Ford Fiestas, Volkswagen Golfs and Vauxhall Corsas are also among the most nicked. Mr Foster said: “Criminals are increasingly finding new ways of getting around car security features and it’s deeply concerning. That is why I am calling on manufacturers to do all they can in the fight against car thefts. Retro-fitting new security measures will go some way to reducing this crime.

“Cars are sometimes being stolen in less than a minute, as people sleep in their beds. We need manufacturers to do much more, to ensure that car security is a top priority and fit for purpose. Demand for stolen cars and stolen car parts has boomed and it is encouraging thieves to steal more and more vehicles.

Brumwish 2023 – buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2023 is Birmingham Live’s festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city – among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

Buy a new gift from the Brumwish Amazon giftlist ^[5]. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
Donate money to the appeal fund ^[6] hosted by Birmingham Thrive Together – this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes
Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at special gifting days on Friday 8th December and Saturday 9th December at Edgbaston Stadium, 11am – 3pm. Volunteers will be there to greet you and thank you for your support. Please don’t wrap.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children’s centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Birmingham Thrive Together, Birmingham Playcare Network, Edgbaston Foundation (part of Edgbaston Stadium and Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps who first dreamed up #Toys4Birmingham and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

“I have asked West Midlands Police ^[7] to prioritise car crime and go after the organised criminals, who are profiting from the thefts, but we also need manufacturers to look again at onboard car security features, to ensure they are a top priority and fit for purpose, to prevent organised car crime gangs profiting from vehicle theft.”

Earlier this year, the PCC published data showing the number of Fords taken last year jumped by a third, bringing the total stolen in 2022, to more than three and a half thousand. Land Rovers were also sought after, with a near doubling in the number taken by criminals. Both Ford and Land Rover had 27 vehicles stolen per 1,000 registered in our region, the equivalent of 2.7%.

Some thieves are known to get around the onboard car security features in a matter of seconds, allowing them to drive off with the vehicle, whilst the owner sleeps at night. This can involve copying digital keys, or boosting a car fob signal to trick the car into opening its doors and allowing its engine to start.

References

^{^} thieves. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} Jaguar Land Rover (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} I’m a car insurance expert and I’ve got a grim £338 warning for every driver (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} Thousands more kids in our city have no bed, no toys, no hope – why Brumwish is back for Christmas (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} the Brumwish Amazon giftlist (www.amazon.co.uk)
^{^} the appeal fund (thrivetogetherbham.org)
^{^} West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)