One-in-four UK drivers experience vehicle crime, | Tech News
One in 4 motorists throughout Britain has fallen sufferer to vehicle crime similar to theft or vandalism over the previous 12 months, new figures reveal.
RAC analysis performed in April 2025 with practically 2,400 drivers discovered 26% of motorists nationwide have been focused by vehicle crime, with stark variations noticed between city and rural places.
Nearly half (45%) of drivers in cities and metropolis centres reported experiencing vehicle crime prior to now 12 months, in contrast with simply 20% in suburban or outer city areas and 15% within the countryside.
The survey revealed that just about one in 5 (19%) city motorists had their vehicle broken “with deliberate scratches and dents”, in contrast with simply 7% in rural areas.
Additionally, 13% of drivers in cities and metropolis centres had possessions stolen from their car prior to now 12 months, while the determine stood at 2% within the countryside, the survey discovered.
The evaluation additionally revealed 11% of city drivers reported vehicle theft, in contrast with 6% total.
The RAC mentioned regardless of the decrease incidence of vehicle crime outdoors cities and cities, rural motorists “are equally, if not more, worried about being targeted by thieves and vandals”.
Nearly two in 5 (39%) drivers within the countryside mentioned they have been involved about their car being vandalised, in contrast with 34% of city motorists.
RAC Insurance spokesperson Simon Williams mentioned the survey findings are “very worrying”. He remarked: “Having a vehicle vandalised is both unbelievably annoying and expensive but having one stolen is a horrible violation, incredibly stressful to resolve and inconvenient to cope with, given how important cars are to our daily lives.
“Every felony incident like this contributes to the average price of car insurance coverage, which has already risen in recent times due to the increased prices of elements and labour, and the rising complexity of trendy automobiles.
“Having to claim on your insurance because of something you’ve accidentally done yourself is one thing, but when it’s because of mindless, deliberate vandalism, it’s beyond frustrating, not least because it will inevitably result in higher future premiums,” he continued.
Last December, the Government reaffirmed its pledge to deal with the spiralling price of motor insurance coverage.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that work would press forward to fight vehicle-related crime and improve street security, while concurrently addressing the mounting bills within the motor insurance coverage sector.
Jonathan Hewett, chief govt of Thatcham Research, noticed: “Vehicle theft is no longer just opportunistic – it’s increasingly driven by organised criminal gangs using sophisticated methods.
“Tackling the menace means not solely making automobiles more durable to steal, but in addition disrupting the networks behind high-volume, tech-enabled theft.”
Both the Department for Transport and Home Office have been approached for remark.
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