THEFT of vehicles from British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association members has fallen dramatically over the past four years. In 1995 member companies lost 2,293 cars to thieves, while last year the total had declined to 1,305, a 5% improvement on 1997.

This still represented, however, a £8,920,130 loss to the industry, although the equivalent figure for 1995 was close on £30 million. While vehicle security has improved significantly over the past four years, vehicle keys continue to be the weak link in the chain, particularly with daily rental companies' delivery and collection services.

The good news, however, is the progress in the recovery of stolen vehicles, with 82% of cars found. But this rate tumbles to just 49% for light commercial vehicles and minibuses, reflecting the: 'determined theft strategies on the part of thieves and poor (compared with cars) perimeter security on most commercial vehicles,' according to the BVRLA's 1999 Industry Review.