Three out of four vehicle thefts remained unsolved in the past year, as per recent statistics. Data from the House of Commons library indicates that a staggering 76% of all car thefts went unresolved last year, with the Metropolitan police being the worst performing force area, leaving 88% of incidents unsolved.
Notably, the British Transport Police, South Yorkshire, City of London, Sussex, and Warwickshire police forces each reported over 80% of car theft cases unsolved. Among the 44 police forces in England and Wales, a significant 35 forces had an overall unsolved rate of 60% for all cases.
The Home Office reported a 12% decrease in vehicle crime in the year leading up to June 2025, with a 7% drop in vehicle theft. Additionally, new legislation is being introduced to outlaw electronic devices used to bypass car security, with offenders facing up to five years of imprisonment for using such devices.
In response to the alarming statistics, the Liberal Democrats are advocating for the establishment of a dedicated team at the National Crime Agency. This team would consolidate data from automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, insurance records, police intelligence, and border control to target organized car crime networks.
Max Wilkinson MP, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, expressed concern over the lack of support for crime victims and emphasized the need for a crackdown on car theft. He criticized past government cuts to police forces and called on the current Labour Government to address the issue promptly.
A spokesperson from the Home Office acknowledged the severe impact of vehicle theft on individuals, families, businesses, and the industry as a whole. The government and law enforcement are actively working to combat vehicle theft by introducing new laws, training officers on theft methods, and collaborating with the industry to enhance vehicle security.