Car theft punishments not harsh enough

• Between 2012 and 2016 custodial sentences have been handed down in just 20 per cent of all trials of vehicle theft
• There has been a 52 per cent increase in juvenile car crime proceedings over the same time period
• A fifth of all car theft prosecutions are in London
• Nearly 380,000 vehicles have been reported as stolen between 2012 and 2016
   

New analysis¹ by Churchill Car Insurance reveals that there have been 7,405 prosecutions for the theft of a motor vehicle in England and Wales in five years (latest data available 2012 to 2016), an average of four prosecutions in court every single day.

Over the last five years, custodial sentences have been handed down in just 20 per cent of all trials, with the average length standing at 21 months. When a prison sentence was not awarded, the average fine issued was just £198.

The analysis also highlights an increase in trials of juveniles in car theft cases, with a 52 per cent rise in the number of under-18s prosecuted between 2012 and 2016. Over the past five years, 14 per cent of all trials for theft involved juveniles. The conviction rate of juveniles is slightly higher than the UK average, with around 54 per cent of all under-18 trials resulting in a successful prosecution, compared to 50 per cent across the entire population.

On a regional basis, London had the greatest number of charges for vehicle theft, where the Metropolitan Police reported a total of 1,490 cases between 2012 and 2016. This accounts for a fifth (20 per cent) of the English and Welsh national totals. During this period, an average of six defendants were brought before a court in London for the theft of a vehicle every week.

Table one: Top ten police forces by number of incidents of vehicle theft per 10,000 cars

Source: Churchill Car Insurance, 2018
 

Churchill’s analysis of official data² shows that between 2012 and 2016, nearly 380,000 vehicles were reported as stolen to police forces, the equivalent of 208 every day.  Additional analysis³ also reveals that more than half (51 per cent) of vehicle thefts occur between the hours of midnight and 6am, with cars often taken from semi-private locations, such as driveways or garages not connected to the home (49 per cent of cases) or on the street (31 per cent). In 40 per cent of cases the stolen vehicle is returned to the owner, though in two thirds (66 per cent) of these cases, damage was inflicted on the vehicle when it was stolen.
 

Steve Barrett, head of car insurance at Churchill, said: “Vehicle theft is one of the most prevalent crimes in the UK, accounting for over a fifth of all recorded vehicle offences. As well as being a harrowing experience, having your car stolen can be a huge inconvenience, with many people reliant on their cars on a daily basis. It is, therefore, concerning that so few custodial sentences are handed down for vehicle theft.

“At present the deterrents are not strong enough to prevent criminals, with more than 200 vehicles reported stolen every day. We believe the punishment needs to reflect the impact of the crime, with greater sentences and fines for the theft of a vehicle. Given the risks, however, it is important owners make their vehicles as difficult to steal as possible and to have measures in place so that if it is stolen, there is a way of locating it and identifying the perpetrator.”
 

Tips for protecting your car from theft

There is no infallible method of preventing your car from being stolen but using a combination of the tips below could help make it as difficult as possible for a thief and may help buy time for the alarm to be raised in case a theft is in progress.
 

Car owners should:

• Keep the vehicle locked – Modern cars’ smoother locking mechanisms can make it difficult to hear if the car locks. Double-check that it is locked before leaving your vehicle, even if you are just ducking away for a few minutes. Never leave the vehicle running when you are not with it, and unless you have a secure parking garage, ensure the car is locked when parked outside your home.
• Invest in the right technology – Most modern cars are fitted with alarms and immobilisers as standard. However, thieves’ technology is advancing in line with that of manufacturers’, and a “belt and braces” approach to car safety could make the difference when deterring potential thieves. Steering wheel, pedal and gear locks are inexpensive, easy to install and off-putting to criminals, while tracking devices or CCTV systems fitted near your car can help track down your vehicle and the perpetrator should it be taken.
• Keep your keys safe – The easiest way for a criminal to steal a car is by taking the keys, so always ensure you store your keys out of sight of doors or windows.
• Block signals - Some manufacturers make it possible to switch your key off. If this is not possible for your car, put your key in a metal container to block signals or invest in a signal-blocking pouch.
• Park smart – If you don’t have the luxury of a private garage or off-street parking, do try to park in a well-lit, populated area whenever possible. Thieves will always target vehicles left in areas where they have little chance of being seen, so parking in side roads or areas away from street lights could put your vehicle at risk.
   

ENDS

Notes to Editor
 

• ¹Churchill analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s Criminal Justice System Statistics publication, “Motoring: Pivot Table Analytical Tool for England and Wales”.
• ²Churchill analysis of the ONS’ “Crime in England & Wales dataset”, period covering up to the year ending December 2016. (Please note this is the latest available dataset published)
• ³Churchill analysis of the ONS’ Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), Nature of Crime: Vehicle-related theft dataset published on 6th December 2017. Timeframe used covers April 2016 to March 2017.
• ⁴Vehicle numbers by police force taken from the Department for Transport’s Vehicle Licensing Statistics 2016 (VEH0105), published 13thApril 2017. Regional figures grouped to reflect the areas covered by each police force.
   

For further information please contact:

Chloe French 

PR Manager 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Antonia.green@citigatedewerogerson.com

0207 282 2967

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com