Merseyside Police said the region had seen an overall decline in offences in the past 12 months
31,654 vehicle thefts were reported to English police forces in the quarter ending in June 2024(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
The vast majority of vehicle thefts go unsolved in Merseyside, reflecting a worrying national trend. According to Home Office data, just 5.5% of all reported car thefts in the region result in a suspect being apprehended and charged – and most investigations are closed with no suspect being identified.
In the quarter ending in June 2024, some 489 vehicle theft investigations were completed by Merseyside Police, resulting in 27 suspects being charged or summonsed to court. But 362 cases (74%) were closed with no further action.
Similar figures were seen in other police forces across England, where 31,654 vehicle thefts were reported in the quarter ending in June 2024. Of these, only 883 (2.8%) resulted in a person being charged or summonsed, and 24,837 (78.5%) investigations were closed with no suspect being identified.
READ MORE: Three flood warnings issued for Merseyside as heavy rain continuesREAD MORE: The Vivienne was ‘nicest person you could ever meet’ say heartbroken fans
London had the worst rate of unsolved car thefts, with 7,996 out of 8,861 cases (90.2%) being dropped. South Yorkshire came in second with 85.1% of cases going unsolved, followed by Dorset at 82.2%.
Despite this, Merseyside Police said Merseyside had seen an overall decline in reported vehicle thefts in the past 12 months, from 2,920 to 2,310 (-20.89%). Reports of other crimes also decreased in the year between June 2023/24, with robbery offences falling by 11.19%, cyber crime by 38.80%, sexual offences by 12.13%, and knife crime decreased by 13.35%.
The total number of LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported in Merseyside decreased for the third year in a row in 2024, with a total of 1,185 reports being made in the region. But violent attacks on transgender people have risen region-wide, from 29 in 2023 to 35 the following year.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Officers at Merseyside Police are completely committed to putting the public first, preventing and detecting crime in Merseyside so people who live, work and visit here can feel safe.
“These reductions show the fruits of their efforts. But they are not a cause for celebration or complacency – for as long as we have people suffering at the hands of offenders in Merseyside, we will strive to keep pushing these numbers down further. Prevention is helping to change mindsets of those had been prepared to pick up a knife or firearm, or deal drugs, and education and other interventions are preventing crimes before enforcement is even necessary.
“We work closely with partners including the five local authorities, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, public health, education and third sector organisations to further reduce this type of behaviour in our communities in the longer term.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank officers and staff of Merseyside Police. Their commitment and dedication to the communities of Merseyside is clearly helping drive down crime on our streets.”
Merseyside Police has provided a list of nine tips to protect your vehicles from opportunistic thieves:
1. Lock your vehicle
Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.
It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather. If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.
2. Keep the keys safe
Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox. If you’re selling your car and you meet up with a potential buyer, do not allow the keys out of your sight. Your keys may be cloned by thieves and used later to steal your vehicle.
If you car has keyless entry, meaning it unlocks automatically when the key comes within a short distance, keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car and put them in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.
3. Be aware of carjackers
Drive with the doors locked and when queuing leave enough space in front of your vehicle to enable you to get out of a tight spot. If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and preferably where there are people. After all, you don’t know the person who has collided with you; they could well be hijackers. If you’re at all suspicious, consider calling the police.
If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call 999 as soon as possible, and ask for the police.
4. Park responsibly
It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street. Always try to park in illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.
5. Watch for illegal tow trucks
Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, so if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – report it to police.
6. Fit good in-car security locks
Additional physical security can help to prevent your vehicle being driven away even if a thief gains entry. There are a range of security rated products tested by Sold Secure that can help, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks. Some of these products can even resist a small hand-held angle grinder.
7. Double-check electronic locking
Electronic devices can be used to jam the electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle. Always manually check your vehicle has locked before walking away.
8. Before owning, check for cloning
Changing the identity of a vehicle, known as vehicle cloning, can be as simple as adding stolen number plates. When buying a vehicle, always check the DVLA V5 document and make sure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the vehicle is the same as on the document.
9. Secure your port
Many modern vehicles are fitted with engine management diagnostic ports, which can unlock and start your vehicle. If your vehicle has this type of port, consider fitting a lockable cover.