Crime Rates Drop in Merseyside, Yet 74% of Vehicle Thefts Remain Unsolved

Merseyside: The police have reported a drop in crime overall in the last year. But here’s the kicker: a whopping 74% of vehicle thefts are still going unsolved.

In the quarter ending June 2024, Merseyside Police wrapped up 489 vehicle theft cases. Out of those, only 27 led to charges. That means 362 cases just went nowhere. It’s a bit concerning, right?

This trend isn’t just local; it’s happening across England. In the same quarter, there were over 31,000 vehicle thefts reported, but only about 2.8% resulted in charges. Most cases were closed without identifying a suspect.

London’s numbers are even worse, with 90% of car thefts going unsolved. South Yorkshire and Dorset aren’t far behind. Despite these stats, Merseyside has seen a 20.89% drop in vehicle thefts over the past year. Other crimes like robbery and cybercrime also saw decreases.

Interestingly, while LGBTQ+ hate crimes have dropped, violent attacks on transgender individuals have increased. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy emphasized the police’s commitment to public safety and reducing crime.

She mentioned that while the numbers are improving, there’s still a lot of work to do. The police are working with local authorities and other organizations to tackle these issues.

To help protect your vehicle, Merseyside Police shared some handy tips. Lock your car, keep your keys safe, and be aware of your surroundings. It’s all about staying vigilant and making it harder for thieves to do their thing.