VEHICLE crime in England and Wales dropped 1% in the year to June 1996, according to Home Office figures released this week. The continuing drop is being attributed to the increased security measures adopted by both manufacturers and motorists.

From July last year to June this year a total of 511,657 vehicles were stolen compared with 513,585 in the year to June 1995 and 574,529 in the year to June 1992. Meanwhile, there were 809,606 thefts from vehicles in the year to June 1996 compared with 817,784 in the year to June 1995 and 934,834 in the year to June 1992.

The figures have been published just as vehicle manufacturers are being asked to submit entries for the 1997 British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association Security Awards. There will be four awards - the British Security Volume Cars Award (for vehicles under £25,000), the British Security Executive/Luxury Cars Award (for vehicles over £25,000), the British Security Light Commercial Vehicle Award and the British Security HGV Award.

The 1997 awards will be made to the vehicle manufacturers or importers who, in the view of the judging panel, have made the greatest overall effort to improve vehicle security across their entire product range within the specified value category. Judging will take place in November and December with the awards presented in January.