Vehicle thefts 'more than double' those previously reported

Vehicle thefts in England and Wales exceeded 101,000 in 2021, according to the Home Office, more than twice those published by the DVLA earlier this year.

Furthermore, less than 28% of stolen vehicles were ever recovered in 2021, compared to 80% in 2006.

According to Tracker Network UK, fleet managers who fit vehicles with a stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) device benefit from a 95% recovery rate.

The company is advising businesses of all sizes to consider additional security measures on their fleets to protect against not just vehicle theft, but also the knock-on effect on its business reputation, employee productivity, insurance premiums and ultimately, bottom line.

Tracker’s own analysis of theft and recovery data supports the trend for a rise in thefts.

More than £5 million worth of vehicles in the first six months of 2022 were recovered by Tracker, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2021. 

While premium fleet marques like Range Rovers and Land Rover accounted for four of the top models recovered this January to June, van fleets remain a very real target for theft too.

Ford Transit was the most stolen van recovered in 2021, accounting for 64% of all Tracker LCV recoveries.

Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “Organised crime gangs are very astute, keeping pace with developing security technologies at a disturbing rate.

“Indeed, our own data revealed that keyless car theft accounted for 94% of stolen vehicle’s we recovered last year, up from 92% the previous year and a record. 

“As well as the obvious financial loss of an asset and resulting increase in insurance premiums the theft of a fleet vehicle can affect the wider company too. 

“Businesses risk days or weeks of lost work and revenue, not to mention the loss of costly vehicle contents which can often represent the driver’s livelihood. 

“Of course, there are always numerous pressures competing for strained fleet budgets but by investing in a Tracker SVR device those managing fleets can increase their chances of their vehicle being recovered from 28% to 95%.”

Tracker uses the combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology which works like an electronic homing device and is immune to GPS jammers, commonly employed by thieves. It is also the only provider supported nationwide by UK police forces.

Tracker detection units are fitted in over 2,000 police patrol vehicles and throughout the national fleet of Police helicopters that comprise the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

Wain concluded: “It’s a harsh reality of life today that factory fitted vehicle security systems alone, regardless of how sophisticated they are, will not 100% protect its owner from becoming a victim of theft.

“But investing in a stolen vehicle recovery solution that is supported nationwide by the police, can significantly improve the chances of companies getting their valuable fleet vehicles back.

“Our recovery rate speaks for itself; 95% of vehicles fitted with a Tracker device are being returned to their fleets, allowing companies across the UK to carry on with business as usual.”