By ROB HULL and OLIVER PRICE
Updated: 04:49 EST, 1 March 2025
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Britain's towns and cities with the worst motor theft rates have exclusively been revealed by This is Money and MailOnline as criminal gangs continue their spree of misery on the nation's drivers.
Despite a 6 per cent fall in motor thefts in 2024, the 61,343 cars reported stolen to the DVLA last year was the third-highest annual tally in a decade and more than double the volume seen in 2015.
The plague of thefts nationwide remains at elevated levels due to the rise of organised and well-funded groups of thieves predominantly targeting high-value vehicles for biggest financial gain, using a variety of advanced tactics to infiltrate the security systems of modern cars to pilfer them almost without detection.
This contributed to insurers paying out a record £11.7billion in motor claims last year, which in turn has kept premiums high as every motorist across the country is feeling the brunt of Britain's theft epidemic.
Our analysis of stolen vehicle data identified a riverside town in East London as having the worst motor crime problem of all.
Despite having fewer than 23,500 cars registered to addresses in Barking, 152 vehicles were pinched from the town in 2024.
Barking's theft rate, calculated to be 648 per 100,000 vehicles, is higher than any other postal town or city across the country, as the capital and its surrounding areas dominate the order of locations most at threat to car thieves.
So, how does your town compare? Enter your location in our interactive tool below to discover the motor theft rate where you live.
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By tapping or hovering over towns and cities on our interactive map, you can see the motor theft rates for every postal town, calculated by the number of thefts per 100,000 cars registered in the area.
It also shows the true number of cars taken from that location last year, the volume of registrations as well as licence holders in that specific area.
Alternatively, you can find your town - or any location across the UK - using the search tool lower down this page, which provides the same information as well as the ranking overall.
The postal district of London - which includes City of London, Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster, as well as part of Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham and Waltham Forest - saw the largest volume of car thefts in 2024.
But while 8,145 vehicles were nicked from these parts of the capital last year, it was still a smaller rate of cars stolen than Barking based on the number of motors registered in each respective area.
Vehicle owners in major cities including Birmingham (3,220), Manchester (912), Leeds (901) and Sheffield (899) fell victim to the most car crime outside of the capital, but all fall short of Barking's theft rate based on the number of motors registered per location.
Barking's 2024 theft rate, calculated to be 648 out of 100,000 vehicles, is higher than any other postal town or city across the country, This is Money and MailOnline analysis reveals
Barking's 2024 vehicle thefts is further evidence of what is driving record-high motor crime right now.
The most stolen brand in the postal town was Toyota, with 25 of the Japanese vehicles taken unlawfully last year.
However, second overall is Mercedes-Benz with 18 pinched, followed by BMW with 12 reported stolen as thieves targeted premium brands over mainstream makes such as Vauxhall (10), Ford (9) and Hyundai (9).
Nine Land Rovers were also stolen from Barking last year, as well as four Porsches and a Bentley, again proving gangs' appetite for high-value motors, which are commonly driven to ports and exported out of the country to black market customers overseas.
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Last year, a gang of five thieves were jailed for a combined total of 13 years and five months after being snared by the Met Police having used gadgets disguised as a Nintendo Game Boys to steal £2million worth of cars in north and east London during a four-year spree.
This included taking motors from owners in Barking.
The group had been using the devices to quickly unlock vehicles and start them in seconds, driving away from owners' addresses in their cars without raising an alarm.
In total, it is believed they stole over 170 vehicles during the four-year crimewave.
Among these was a Volvo with the owner's three-year-old child still strapped into the car seat.
Other parts of London and the surrounding areas the group targeted included Dagenham, which, according to our study, has the fifth highest motor theft rate of 2024, and Enfield, which is seventh out of more than 1,110 towns and cities included in our research.
The thieves stole over 170 vehicles with a combined value of £2million using a device disguised as a Game Boy
The gang were tracked down by Met Police having been caught on CCTV using the hi-tech tactic to infiltrate keyless cars
One such device used in keyless car thefts is sold by SOS Auto Keys – a tech firm in Bulgaria. It is built from devices that are strikingly similar to old Nintendo Game Boys (pictured) – the handheld consoles popular with millions of children in the 1990s
1. RELAY ATTACK
Typically, two thieves will work together. One holds a transmitter and stands next to the car while the other stands close to the house holding an amplifier.
The amplifier can boost the signal from the key inside the property and send it to the transmitter.
The transmitter essentially becomes a ghost key and tricks the car into thinking the real key is nearby. This then opens the car and allows it to be driven away without causing any damage.
2. KEY CLONING
A victim’s key is usually acquired through places such as unscrupulous garages or car washes.
Criminals can then use a device to clone the car keys without the owner's knowledge by copying its unique signal code onto a blank key.
3. SIGNAL BLOCKING
Signal blocking is a commonly used tactic to steal vehicles in busy car parks.
Thieves will watch for when a driver exits their car and is about to press the lock button on the keyfob.
They will then use a signal jammer to block the key from contacting the car in the hope that the owner fails to notice the locks haven't engaged - which is usually alerted with the warning lights blinking and an audible 'beep'. With the car doors remaining unlocked, this provides easy access for thieves.
4. CAN ATTACK
Criminal gangs are gaining access to a vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) - which is required for digitally enabled safety and convenience functions (such as automatic emergency braking and headlights etc) - often by brazenly cutting into the tailgate or body panels.
The CAN is considered the nervous system of a car - it enables communication between the various electronic control units' (ECUs) in a vehicle, with the latest models have around 70 ECUs in total.
By accessing the CAN, thieves can infiltrate any aspect of the car, including the vehicle's locking system and keyless ignition.
In fact, of the top 20 locations with the highest motor theft rates, 15 are in London or the direct surrounding towns, we can reveal.
Hayes in West London is second overall with a theft rate of 569 per 100k cars, ahead of Thornton Heath in South London with a rate of 557 per 100,000 motors.
The five non-capital locations making the top 20 were all in the Midlands, with Birmingham third overall with a rate of 557 per 100k cars nicked last year.
Smethwick (9th), West Bromwich (15th), Bilston (16th) and Willenhall (19th) also made the top 20.
Our report comes just days after the government moved to introduce tougher punishments for anyone caught handling electronic devices used in 40 per cent of today's car thefts.
On Tuesday, the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament to ban the possession, sale and distribution of gadgets including the Game Boy theft gadgets, signal jammers and relay devices, all of which are commonly deployed to target expensive cars with keyless technology.
Anyone found carrying these 'sophisticated' gadgets will receive a five-year prison sentence under the new laws.
Signal jammers are used predominantly in car parks to prevent drivers from being able to lock their vehicles to provide clear access for thieves.
Relay devices have become an even greater problem for motorists and police, with gangs able to use them to extend the signal of a car key inside someone's home so the vehicle can be unlocked and driven away needing to enter the premises.
The hope is that the new laws will help tackle the theft epidemic that not only has impacted direct victims of car crime but every motorist across the country burdened with higher insurance premiums as a result.
The Association of British Insurers says motor insurers paid more in claims than any other year on record.
The high volume of motor thefts - as well as vehicle repair costs - is having the most significant impact on premiums, the ABI said.
The average cost of motor cover at the end of the year was £621. While this was 2 per cent lower than prices paid at the start of 2024 (£635), when taken as an annual average, the cost of cover in 2024 was £622, 15 per cent (£78) higher than 2023.
This is against a backdrop of total claims payouts that were 17 per cent higher in 2024 compared to the previous year.
This is Money exclusively revealed earlier in February that Ford's Fiesta was again the most-stolen model in Britain last year as we listed the top 20 models targeted by total volumes.
Signal blocking is where thieves use a jammer to create a virtual barrier between the key and the vehicle to prevent it from locking when the owner presses the button on the fob. New laws introduced to Parliament aim to crackdown on their availability and use
Relay devices have become a major problem for motorists and police, with gangs able to use them to extend the signal of a car key inside someone's home so the vehicle car be unlocked and driven away without detection
This graphic shows the four-step explanation for how criminals use relay attacks to steal motors
This is Money has spoken to a number of experts across the field of vehicle security to create a list of 13 tips all car owners should follow to best protect their motors.
We've enlisted the help of Thatcham Research, AA President Edmund King and vehicle crime consultant Dr Ken German - previously head of technology at the Met stolen car squad with a PhD in International Vehicle Crime - to compile the ultimate list of car security tips:
1. Make sure your car is locked in the first place
This may seem obvious, but a large proportion of thefts are a result of the vehicle being left unlocked or criminals using signal jammers that block your key fob from communicating with the car's locks.
Drivers should always check the vehicle is locked and the windows are up after using a key fob. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash and - if your car has them - automatic wing mirrors to fold.
2. Don't leave your car engine running to defrost windows
Freezing temperatures can tempt drivers into starting the car's engine to deice or defrost the windows, then returning to the warmth indoors until the windscreen is clear.
It might sound obvious but by leaving a vehicle unattended is a huge security risk, even if it's on your own private driveway. In fact, it is illegal to do this, and your insurer is unlikely pay out for any loss if your car is stolen as a result of this.
Thieves will be checking for stationary cars emitting exhaust smoke or that have wing mirrors that normally are folded in when locked but are clearly not.
3. Keep valuables out of sight
'Out of sight, out of mind'. Remove all valuables from your vehicle to make it less of a target to opportunistic thieves.
4. Do you have an alarm and immobiliser?
Ensure your vehicle has a Thatcham-certified alarm, immobiliser and tracking system fitted. Some insurance policies require the fitment of a tracking device, so it's important any associated subscriptions to monitoring services are maintained.
5. Mechanical security systems - like a steering lock - might seem 'old hat' but are a great deterrent
Steering wheel locks, gear clamps, wheel clamps and other traditional security systems can act as a strong visual deterrent against thieves.
6. Install a doorbell camera or CCTV at your home
Doorbell cameras and CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular as both a deterrent for car crime and to catch thieves.
Make sure you invest in one that has a night vision mode and crisp HD resolution.
Motion-sensing driveway lighting can also be a strong deterrent.
7. If you have a garage, use it!
If you have a garage, try to make sure there is enough room for your car to fit into it, rather than using it for storage for all types of household clutter.
If you have multiple vehicles, almost prioritise the garage for the one of highest value - and park another car in front of the garage door as an extra precaution.
And if you have electric garage doors, do not keep the transponder inside the vehicle, such as in the glovebox. Victims have subsequently found this to be the reason for their property being burgled.
8. Think about where and how you park overnight
Most car thefts take place under the cloak of darkness, so this is the most important time to consider how secure your vehicle is.
If you don't have a garage but do have a driveway, always park tactically.
For instance, if you have a big driveway, park the car sideways to so any thief will need to manoeuvre it. If your driveway is smaller, park facing your house to increase the chances of you being alerted to the lights coming on. And park with the wheels turned on full lock to extend the time it takes for criminals to make a getaway. Even consider parking another less desirable car in front (or behind) your vehicle to prevent easy removal.
Those with driveways can also purchase lockable barriers to restrict access - and experts advise that a car cover is often a deterrent due to the time it takes to remove one and will look suspicious to neighbours and passersby.
If you do not have off-street parking, try to leave your car in a well-lit area - ideally with CCTV monitoring - and in a position that makes it difficult for a thief to move quickly.
Ken German tells us that some motorists are being extra inventive in their bid to protect their cars. Some previous victims are leaving mannequins in the driver’s seat to dissuade unwanted visitors.
9. Check repair centre and bodyshop accreditation to avoid key cloning
If you need to leave your key with a garage or bodyshop, you should check that they are a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman or The British Parking Association's Park Mark scheme.
This should reduce your chances of falling victim of key cloning.
Also, if you have purchased your vehicle second-hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre to have the missing key(s) deleted and add a spare as soon as possible.
10. Consider a dashcam or a car with theft alerts
Dashcams have grown in popularity in recent years, with motorists primarily using them to prove they were not at fault in a crash.
They also act as a great theft deterrent. This is because many of these devices will also record suspicious activity around your car is parked up and you're not in it.
However, make sure you buy one that uploads videos to cloud storage rather than saving it only a memory stick in the dash cam - because you will also lose this if your car is stolen.
Some modern vehicles now offer 'parking mode', which also can also detect and record movement when parked. This can be used as supporting evidence by your insurer and the police.
Many of these alerts will be powered via a smartphone app, so ensure you've activated the feature and turned on notifications.
11. Always wipe stored info from a car before you sell it
Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide the previous owner with access.
If permissions remain active, ensure that all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are wiped.
12. 'Locust' thieves might strike twice
A new wave of 'locust thieves' exist today who strip cars whilst they're parked at the side of the road and even outside owners' homes.
Many people have woken up to find wheels, bonnets and grills and even doors missing from their cars rendering them undriveable. This is because these parts are becoming more valuable since the pandemic with factory closures and slowdowns meaning some components are not as readily available from manufacturers as pre-Covid.
For instance, a Porsche headlight can be worth up to £1,000 today, which has driven a rise in these parts being stolen. Wing mirrors for top of the range vehicles are also easy-to-steal high-value components.
Ken German warns that falling victim to locust thieves might not be the end of the story. He says owners who have had parts pinched from their car should check around and under the vehicle to ensure thieves have not fitted a tracking device so they can track when the motor is not being used and return at a later date to attempt to steal it.
13. Be aware of scam crash tactics deployed to steal cars
While carjacking still exists today, it is not as prevalent in the UK as it is in some other countries, such as South Africa.
That said, if you are in a high value vehicle you would be wise to drive with the doors locked in traffic.
Also drive defensively when in a queue leaving enough space in front for you to get out of a tight spot should you need to.
If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over and find somewhere safe where there are people. If you're suspicious don't unlock the door and call the police.
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