A new interactive map highlights the alarming rates of unsolved car thefts in the UK, showing many thieves escape justice.
London: Recent data shows just how many car thieves are getting away with their crimes in the UK. In some places, a jaw-dropping 90% of vehicle thefts end without a conviction.
In the West Midlands, the number is still high at 75.6%. This means a lot of car owners are left feeling frustrated and without justice after their vehicles are stolen. The Liberal Democrats found that over 24,000 car thefts went unsolved in just three months last year.
Across the UK, nearly four out of five car thefts remain unsolved. Only about 2.8% of these cases lead to someone being charged. It’s pretty shocking.
London tops the list, with the Metropolitan Police solving only 10% of reported car thefts. South Yorkshire isn’t far behind, with 85% of thefts going unresolved. Other areas like Essex, Wiltshire, Sussex, and Hertfordshire also show at least 80% of car thefts unsolved in the quarter ending June 2024.
The Liberal Democrats are pointing fingers at the previous Tory government for these stats, claiming they cut local police numbers. They’re urging Labour to bring back community policing.
Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem Home Affairs spokeswoman, expressed concern, saying, “Tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales are being left without the justice they deserve.” She emphasized that every crime victim should feel safe and protected by the police.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set a goal to add 13,000 more officers and community support officers in England and Wales during this Parliament. He’s promised a dedicated police officer for every neighborhood to help tackle local crime.
Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee aims to create a new performance unit at the Home Office to improve police standards nationwide.
A Home Office spokesperson acknowledged that vehicle theft is distressing and impacts individuals and businesses. They’re working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to tackle vehicle crime through a National Vehicle Crime Working Group.
They’re also training officers on vehicle theft methods and encouraging owners to secure their cars better.
