Three out of every four car theft cases remained unsolved in the past year, according to recent statistics. Data from the House of Commons library shows a concerning 76% of car theft incidents went unresolved, with the Metropolitan police recording the worst performance at 88% unsolved cases.
Various police forces, including the British Transport Police, South Yorkshire, City of London, Sussex, and Warwickshire police, reported over 80% of car thefts unsolved. Of the 44 police forces in England and Wales, 35 forces had a high rate of 60% of cases left unresolved.
The Home Office reported a 12% decrease in vehicle crime in the year leading to June 2025, including a 7% drop in vehicle theft. Additionally, new legislation is being introduced to prohibit electronic devices that can bypass a car’s security, with offenders potentially facing up to five years in prison.
In response to these statistics, the Liberal Democrats are advocating for the establishment of a specialized team at the National Crime Agency. This team would leverage data from automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, insurance records, and intelligence from law enforcement and border control to target organized car crime networks.
Max Wilkinson MP, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, expressed concern over the lack of support for crime victims, emphasizing the need for stronger community protection. He criticized past cuts to police forces and urged the current Labour Government to address the escalating issue of car thefts.
A Home Office spokesperson highlighted the severe impact of vehicle theft on individuals, families, businesses, and the broader industry. They emphasized the government and police’s collaborative efforts to combat vehicle theft through new laws, enhanced police training, and industry collaboration to address vehicle vulnerabilities.
