Thefts of cars have risen to a six-year-high according to latest figures released by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), with digitally savvy criminals exploiting the latest technology.
In 2017, there were 43,308 cars reported stolen, up almost 9,000 on the previous year.
With the spate of car thefts showing no signs of abating, industry experts are warning that unless something is done to combat thieves who are using ‘relay attacks’ to cheat a car’s digital security system, then more and more cars will be stolen.
“Car criminals don’t stand still. As cars become better protected, criminals see a challenge to break into them,” said the Association of British Insurers’ Malcolm Tarling.
Tarling’s organisation are suggesting that the keyless crime figures are looking even worse for 2018, up 32 per cent in the first nine months, compared to the same period last year, and costing the insurers a whopping £271m.
The DVLA figures were revealed following research by leading industry publication Auto Express, who are worried about both the lack of policing and the increase technical knowhow from the criminals.
“Our investigation reveals a sharp spike in car thefts last year,” said an Auto Express spokesman.
“More cars were stolen last year than at any point since 2011, with experts blaming falling police numbers and sophisticated criminals circumventing vehicles’ security systems for the six-year high.”