RAC analysis reveals 26% of UK drivers skilled car crime prior to now 12 months, with city drivers 3 occasions extra more likely to be focused than these in rural areas
The RAC has revealed surprising figures (Picture: Getty)
One in 4 motorists throughout Britain has fallen sufferer to car crime comparable to theft or vandalism over the previous 12 months, new figures reveal.
RAC analysis carried out in April 2025 with almost 2,400 drivers discovered 26% of motorists nationwide have been focused by car crime, with stark variations noticed between city and rural places.
Practically half (45%) of drivers in cities and metropolis centres reported experiencing car 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 car broken “with deliberate scratches and dents”, in contrast with simply 7% in rural areas.
Moreover, 13% of drivers in cities and metropolis centres had possessions stolen from their automotive 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 car theft, in contrast with 6% general.
The RAC mentioned regardless of the decrease incidence of car crime outdoors cities and cities, rural motorists “are equally, if no more, anxious about being focused by thieves and vandals”.
Practically two in 5 (39%) drivers within the countryside mentioned they had been involved about their automotive being vandalised, in contrast with 34% of city motorists.
RAC Insurance coverage spokesperson Simon Williams mentioned the survey findings are “very worrying”. He remarked: “Having a car vandalised is each unbelievably annoying and costly however having one stolen is a horrible violation, extremely aggravating to resolve and inconvenient to deal with, given how necessary vehicles are to our day by day lives.
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“Each legal incident like this contributes to the typical price of automotive insurance coverage, which has already risen in recent times as a result of greater prices of components and labour, and the rising complexity of contemporary autos.
“Having to assert in your insurance coverage due to one thing you’ve got unintentionally executed your self is one factor, however when it is due to senseless, deliberate vandalism, it is past irritating, not least as a result of it’s going to inevitably lead to greater future premiums,” he continued.
Final December, the Authorities 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 throughout the motor insurance coverage sector.
Jonathan Hewett, chief government of Thatcham Analysis, noticed: “Car theft is not simply opportunistic – it is more and more pushed by organised legal gangs utilizing subtle strategies.
“Tackling the menace means not solely making vehicles more durable to steal, but additionally disrupting the networks behind high-volume, tech-enabled theft.”
Each the Division for Transport and Residence Workplace have been approached for remark.
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