Vehicle Thefts Rise by Over 50% in Welsh Police Force Area

Strategic Insights -

Vehicle thefts increased by more than 50% in a Welsh police force area, with all four Welsh police forces ranking among the top 10 for the largest year-on-year increase in stolen vehicles. The Dyfed-Powys area saw the highest rise nationwide, with thefts jumping by 52% from 2023 to 2024, followed by Gwent with a 20% increase. Over the past five years, both of these forces recorded significant increases in vehicle theft, with Gwent seeing a 37% rise and the Dyfed-Powys area experiencing an astronomical 428% increase - the biggest in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Dyfed-Powys police force area saw a 52% increase in vehicle thefts from 2023 to 2024, the highest rise nationwide.
  • Gwent police force area saw a 20% increase in vehicle thefts from 2023 to 2024.
  • Welsh police forces consistently saw some of the largest rises in vehicle theft over the past five years.
  • Gwent has seen a 37% increase in vehicle theft since 2019, while the Dyfed-Powys area has experienced an astronomical 428% rise.
  • The analysis by GoCompare car insurance used official Home Office data and a freedom of information request to the UK's police forces.
  • Many areas of the UK saw a decline in vehicle thefts, including the City of London, which recorded a 39% reduction from 2023 to 2024.
  • North-eastern regions, such as Cleveland and Northumbria, also saw drops in vehicle thefts, with 25% and 18% reductions, respectively.
  • Nationally, vehicle thefts fell by around 3% last year compared to 2023, but are still 8% higher than in 2019.
  • Steve Ramsey, managing editor for motoring at Go.Compare, emphasized the importance of taking extra steps to protect vehicles, investing in anti-theft measures, and getting the right level of protection through insurance.

Statistics:

  • Dyfed-Powys: 52% increase in vehicle theft from 2023 to 2024
  • Gwent: 20% increase in vehicle theft from 2023 to 2024
  • Nationwide: 3% decrease in vehicle thefts from 2023 to 2024, but 8% higher than in 2019
  • City of London: 39% reduction in vehicle theft from 2023 to 2024
  • North East:

+ Cleveland: 25% decrease in vehicle theft

+ Northumbria: 18% decrease in vehicle theft

  • North West:

+ Greater Manchester: 19% decrease in vehicle theft

+ Merseyside: 18% decrease in vehicle theft

+ Cheshire: 9% decrease in vehicle theft

Sources:

  • "Vehicle thefts soar in some areas of UK" by BBC News
  • "Car thefts on the rise in Wales" by Wales Online
  • "Vehicle theft statistics for 2023-2024" by the Home Office
  • "GoCompare car insurance analysis" by Go.Compare