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South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Dyfed-Powys among UK's safest regions for car thefts
According to new research by using car theft data from police forces, Dyfed-Powys has the second-lowest rate of vehicle thefts in the country, with just 248 cars reported stolen in 2024. That works out to one theft for every 1,666 registered vehicles in the area, based on figures from the DVLA, Department for Transport, Home Office, and Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces. Steve Ramsey, managing editor for motoring at said: "Our latest research clearly highlights that some areas are worse than others when it comes to car thefts. "While there's no need to panic if you live in one of the hotspots, you should take some extra steps to protect your car. "Investing in anti-theft measures like a Thatcham-approved alarm, steering lock, or other gadgets can help keep it secure. "Always park in well-lit, CCTV-monitored areas or in a garage if you can. "Plus, keep your keys away from the front door and out of sight to avoid attracting thieves' attention. "It's also important you get the right level of protection for your car, as third-party only policies don't offer cover for theft." Suffolk was named the safest UK region, with just 321 vehicles reported stolen in 2024—equivalent to one theft for every 1,752 registered vehicles. By contrast, Greater London was identified as the UK's top car theft hotspot. The Metropolitan Police reported 34,000 stolen vehicles in 2024, amounting to one theft for every 88 vehicles. On average, the UK saw one car stolen for every 287 vehicles in 2024, with approximately 133,000 vehicle thefts recorded nationwide. Mr Ramsey said: "Unfortunately, crime rates do impact insurance prices, so you might pay a higher premium if you live in an area where car theft is more common. "Claiming for a theft could result in increased costs, too, but comparing policies makes sure that the impact on your wallet is kept to a minimum." More information about the UK's vehicle theft hotspots is available on the website.
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers of popular cars could risk losing 'fortune' due to common feature
Drivers of certain vehicles have been warned that they could be at risk of losing a huge amount of money and being targeted by criminals for one simple reason Top mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a stark warning to motorists about the risks of certain modern vehicles with keyless ignition systems, potentially leading to financial losses and heightened chances of theft. He highlighted that owners of petrol, diesel and electric cars equipped with keyless ignitions could be particularly vulnerable. Kilmer noted that fobs which rely on buttons rather than a traditional key turn could invite trouble, from simplicity issues to significant replacement costs. The statement came with the caution that such keyless fobs are not only "cost a fortune to replace" but also may make the associated vehicle "easier to steal", striking a concerning note for car owners. READ MORE: Nutritionist says special coffee 'elevates energy' and 'manages stress' without crash Addressing his audience on YouTube, Scotty explained: "Today I'm going to talk about something I hate. Keyless ignition systems." His preference is clear as he added: "I like plain old keys. They very rarely break. These computer ones have a lot of ID signals in them." Discussing the potential drawbacks, he continued: "They cost a fortune to replace if you lose them, reports the Express. Unlike the plain old key, they are not waterproof. If these fall in the water or go through the wash. Goodbye." Kilmer also warns about the security implications of digital keys: "Lastly, they make your vehicle easier to steal. People can copy these signals, have one and steal your car." He contrasted this with the relative security of physical keys, stating: "With a regular key, they've got to make a copy of the key. There's no key to copy here, just a computer signal." As per CheckaTrade, getting a manual car key replaced could set drivers back an estimated £160. The financial burden increases for remote car keys, with the average cost hitting around £320. To compound matters, car manufacturers might demand even higher prices for replacement keys, with some premium brands' fees soaring into the thousands. Owners of keyless vehicles are also under threat from 'relay attacks', where criminals employ a cunning method to unlawfully gain access to cars. These crooks intercept signals from a legitimate device, such as a key fob, and relay them to the vehicle. This essentially dupes the car into granting access without the actual key present. Tracker specialists have flagged 'relay attacks' as a significant worry, given they remain the go-to strategy for thieves. Plan Insurance Brokers advised: "A Thatcham-approved vehicle tracker is worth serious consideration and on high-value vehicles, they can be mandatory for many insurers." They added: "The device won't necessarily prevent the vehicle being taken but it could enable the police to recover it."
