Lockdown warning: Range Rover drivers most at risk of car theft
Drivers across the UK are being urged to keep their vehicles secure, as new research finds owners of luxury cars are more at risk of finding their car stolen.
According to data held by Tracker, obtained by Confused.com, Range Rover Sports topped the list as the most stolen and recovered vehicle in 2019, with the top 10 list consisting only of premium brand cars.
The data comes as crime statistics shows a 53% increase in car thefts in the past five years in England and Wales, suggesting that new, premium-technology cars aren’t as secure as you might expect. In total, Tracker’s systems recovered £13m worth of cars in 2019 alone, with Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz among the most targeted models.
Top 10 models stolen and recovered in 2019
- Range Rover Sport
- BMW X5
- Mercedes-Benz C Class
- Range Rover Vogue
- Land Rover Discovery
- BMW X6
- Range Rover Evoque
- BMW 3 Series
- Range Rover Autobiography
- Mercedes-Benz E Class
Fortunately for drivers whose cars were recovered by Tracker, their car was installed with a system to help them get their car back. However, not all drivers have been so lucky. According to new research from Confused.com, more than one in eight (13%) UK drivers have had their vehicle stolen, with a further one in three (33%) having had items stolen from their vehicle. And with cars currently sat on driveways or down side streets for long periods of time under lockdown guidance, it’s no surprise one in six (16%) drivers feel more at risk of theft at the moment. For most (55%) this is because they feel people have more time on their hands to commit a crime, while nearly half (44%) are concerned because there are fewer police officers around to deter thieves.
With this in mind, it’s more important than ever for drivers to protect their vehicles from theft or break-ins. Although, knowing how to keep their car safe has proven confusing for some drivers, with nearly one in 10 (9%) unsure of the most effective methods. But according to Confused.com’s expert advice, there are eight simple ways for drivers to increase the security of their vehicle, including installing a tracking system or parking in a more secure spot, such as a driveway or garage, if possible.
Worryingly, it’s taken their car getting stolen for some drivers to invest in security systems. Nearly half (49%) of victims admit they didn’t have any measures in place at the time. And, considering the most common method for thieves to break into a car was through breaking the door (34%) or smashing a window (31%), something as simple as an alarm could’ve deterred the thieves from taking the vehicle. However, following the incident, nearly one in three (30%) invested in more security measures.
