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Keyless theft accounted for 91 per cent of all car thefts in 2021

09 March 2022

Stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) specialist Tracker recently revealed that keyless car thefts accounted for 94 per cent of all car thefts in 2021 – an all-time high.

Head of police liaison for Tracker Clive Wain said, “Due to the pandemic, global demand for car parts created a boom in ‘chop-shops’ – buildings which house stolen vehicles for stripping down so their expensive parts can be sold on. In addition, the lack of parts for new car manufacturing resulted in a surge of sales in the second-hand car market, creating a lucrative business for car thieves to fill the shortage.”

The revelation confirms a trend which began to emerge in July 2021, after the National Police Chief’s Council reported a 3.1 per cent increase in vehicle crime, primarily relating to ‘relay attack theft’.

Clive Wain advised drivers on the best practice to protect their vehicle from theft. “Whatever the value of a car, an important barrier to stop thieves is using traditional physical security devices like steering wheel locks and wheel clamps. In addition, placing the key fob into a signal blocking pouch which is lined with layers of metallic material, will stop a key’s signal from being intercepted by would-be thieves. However, thieves are increasingly determined and employ sophisticated methods too. In the event of a vehicle being stolen, an SVR solution will significantly increase the chances of it being quickly recovered and returned before it’s sold on, stripped for parts or shipped abroad.”

Contract hire and fleet management 

Marshall Leasing is a Bank of Ireland UK (PLC)-owned business which offers a commercial and flexible approach to business contract hire, contract purchase, sale and leaseback for cars and LCVs fleets and management of purchased fleets. 

If you would like to find out more about our contract hire and fleet management services, please get in touch with us at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541. Alternatively, please complete our contact form.  

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