UK motor vehicle theft is 74% higher than 10 years ago according to new data

New figures obtained by vehicle tracking and recovery expert Inn-Track reveals that motor vehicle theft is 74%* higher than it was a decade ago.

The Office for National Statistics data for England and Wales showed that 121,825 vehicles were stolen during the year ending 31 March 2025 compared to 70,216 in the year ending 31 March 2015.

While there was a slight decline over the past 12 months compared to the previous year, the combined number of stolen cars across the last three years is 78%** higher than the three-year period before 2015.

The research arrives as Inn-Track calls for action to combat the high levels of ‘theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle’ which is now at levels not seen since 2008***.

Worryingly, the data also shows that fewer than a third**** of stolen cars were returned to their owners in the year to 31 March 2024, leaving 68% of cars that were never recovered – this compares to 56% that were not recovered the year before.

Following a nationwide Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all UK police forces, Inn-Track also found that aggravated vehicle taking and robberies remain stubbornly high too, with rises in some areas across the UK including Bedfordshire, North Yorkshire and Surrey.

Aggravated vehicle taking is defined as the theft of a vehicle involving dangerous driving, damage to the vehicle or other serious offences – often putting innocent road users and other people at risk. Robbery of a motor vehicle (sometimes knows as carjacking) is when a vehicle is taken by force or threat of force.

The figures come despite proactive measures by police to tackle vehicle crime, including increased use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, targeted operations to break up car theft gangs and crackdowns on keyless entry thefts.

The Inn-Track investigative team harnesses the capability of anti-theft experts with decades of experience and precise covert technology to protect and recover business-owned and private vehicles. The service, which has a 99% recovery rate, behind several high-profile vehicle recoveries is part of Innovation 24, the vehicle management software, day-insurance and vehicle protection specialist.

Neil Thomas at Inn-Track said: “These figures should set alarm bells ringing for motorists, insurers and law enforcement alike. It’s worrying to see criminals increasingly willing to steal vehicles and escape detection. With stolen vehicle rates at higher levels than a decade ago, it is a tough pill to swallow for motorists.

“Our advice to drivers is simple: don’t be complacent – invest in effective vehicle tracking and recovery solutions and stay vigilant. Government data shows that only 10% of vehicles stolen in 2024 had trackers.”

Inn-Track is urging vehicle owners to take preventative steps, including installing advanced, covert tracing systems, parking in secure areas where possible and reporting suspicious activity to police.

Neil Thomas shares his top tips for avoiding potentially violent confrontation and preventing vehicle theft:
Check your locks: Always double-check that doors and windows are locked – don’t rely solely on the remote. Data shows that 46% of stolen cars were unlocked.
Never confront an offender: If someone tries to steal your vehicle while you’re inside or nearby, don’t resist – your life is worth more than your car.
Park smart: Choose well-lit, busy areas with CCTV coverage whenever possible.
Use multiple security layers: Combine factory-fitted alarms with steering wheel locks, immobilisers, and advanced covert tracking systems.
Be alert to suspicious behaviour: Report any unusual activity, like people loitering near vehicles, to police.
Keep your keys safe: Use a signal-blocking pouch for keyless fobs.
Leave keys in an obvious place: counterintuitively it can be safer to store keys downstairs near the front door to prevent a confrontation. But make sure they can’t be ‘fished’ through the letterbox.

“We continue to monitor how the criminals adapt and evolve their tactics, and despite greater levels of vehicle technology, the lawbreakers are still able to bypass most security features.

“As a former police detective, I’ve seen this trend continue even as preventative technology used by car manufacturers has become much more advanced. Despite this, the nationwide recovery rate is only 32%, whereas we achieve a rate of 99%, helping reunite many businesses and individuals with their vehicles.” added Neil Thomas.

Trusted by police authorities, Inn-Track is Thatcham approved and has ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status under the Secured By Design accreditation scheme. Inn-Track is also a member of the newly formed National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), where industry, Government and key stakeholders target offenders and coordinate activity to reduce vehicle crime and associated harm.