Car thefts are on the rise with more and more sophisticated methods of stealing motors from right under our noses says a new report.

An analysis conducted by AA Insurance Services using data obtained from the Office of National Statistics in 2022 found there were around 130,389 instances of vehicles being stolen from their owners. This represents a 25% increase from the total of 104,435 during the 12 months prior to this point.

According to AA Insurance Services, car thieves are employing a "variety of hi-tech methods" to steal vehicles.

Thefts of relays, in which vehicles are duped into opening their doors, and key cloning are two examples of these types of crimes.

The motoring organisation says criminals are also employing "advanced practises" in order to circumvent improved vehicle security systems.

The number of reported thefts from vehicles increased by 10% from the previous year's total of 193,647 to 212,900 in 2022.

AA Insurance Services managing director Gus Park said: “These figures are in danger of getting out of control.

“If left to spiral further there will be big cost implications in terms of the impact to wider society, let alone the price policy holders pay.

“We urge police chiefs and crime commissioners across the country to create an action plan to crack the case.

“Unfortunately, there is no one thing that can guarantee keeping your car safe from theft, but just making it a bit harder for the thieves can make it less likely that they’ll go for your car.”

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