Some of the UK’s leading voices on crime have called for car manufacturers to do more to prevent growing concerns over the ease at which thieves are getting away with high-end vehicles.
Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands David Jamieson has been joined by his West Shropshire counterpart, John Campion in demanding that more action is taken.
The pair have written to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to stop a growing market.
Mr Jamieson said: “The growing demand for car parts, poor security of vehicles and the thefts that result are causing serious danger to the public and police officers.”
“Many vehicle thefts result in highly dangerous pursuits, risking the lives of both police officers and members of the public. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
“I am angry at the apparent ease at which criminals are stealing cars.”
The growing market for car parts is said to be leading the increase in car thefts and John Campion is concerned that the SMMT are not doing enough.
“Many vehicle thefts result in highly dangerous pursuits, risking the lives of both police officers and members of the public.
“This situation cannot be allowed to continue.
“Consumer organisations are disappointed, at what many are describing as limp excuses by the SMMT.
“Drivers are now paying vastly inflated insurance premiums for their cars because they are so easily stolen.
“I am angry at the apparent ease at which criminals are stealing cars and I have pledged to publish car theft data every six months so motorists can make informed decisions about their choice of vehicle.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The recent increase in vehicle theft is a concern and industry takes the matter extremely seriously.
“Manufacturers are investing billions of pounds in new security features to try to stay one step ahead of the criminals, but technology can only do so much.
“A coordinated approach is needed and we continue to call for action to stop the open sale of equipment which helps thieves steal cars – equipment which has no legal purpose – and have already joined both the West Midlands Police and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s representatives in a Home Office taskforce to see how this can be addressed.”