Cars most likely to be stolen in the West Midlands revealed

Figures from West Midlands Police show the vehicles most at risk, ordered by the amount taken per 1,000 cars registered, in 2021.

The manufacturer with the highest proportion stolen was Italian make Abarth, with almost one in 10 taken, however only 58 were registered in the region.

For every 1,000 Alfa Romeos, Fords, Range Rovers and Land Rovers, 15 were stolen as pressure mounts for car firms to do more to tackle the issue.

It comes after car crime in the region jumped by more than a third in the last year alone. It has almost quadrupled since 2015.

Car make by highest proportion of thefts

List shows car make, the amount stolen per 1,000 registered and the total number stolen in 2021

• Abarth - 96.83 - 58

• Alfa Romeo - 17.96 - 40

• Land Rover - 15.4 - 594

• Ford - 14.88 - 2,765

• Mercedes - 11.31 - 904

• BMW - 8.53 - 639

• Audi - 7.96 - 449

• Nissan - 7.55 - 438

• Honda - 7.3 - 133

• Fiat - 6.86 - 196

• Renault - 6.02 - 218

• Seat - 5.87 - 131

• Volkswagen - 5.39 - 474

• Toyota - 5.13 - 199

• Peugeot - 4.96 - 265

• Vauxhall - 4.63 - 608

• Citroen - 4.3 - 157

• Mazda - 4.18 - 55

• Kia - 3.69 - 95

• Mitsubishi 3.3 67

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster said: "These criminals are finding ways of getting around car security features and it’s deeply concerning.

"Cars are sometimes being stolen in less than a minute as people sleep at night and this is completely unacceptable. Demand for stolen cars and stolen car parts has boomed in recent months as the value of second-hand cars rocket thanks, in part, to a global shortage of semiconductors.

"West Midlands Police have prioritised car crime and are going after the organised criminals who are profiting from the thefts, but we also need manufacturers to look again at onboard car security features to ensure they are a top priority and fit for purpose.

"The prevention of crime is always better than having to deal with the consequences of crime."

Police believe the majority of thefts are carried out by criminals who have found ways of bypassing on-board electronic security systems. It can involve copying digital keys, boosting a car fob signal to trick the car into opening its doors and starting its engine or using electronic devices to stop a car from locking in the first place.

Many of the cars being stolen are taken to illegal garages, otherwise known as chop-shops, where they are cut up and sold for parts on the black market. And it is a matter of serious concern for police that much of the technology used to steal a car can now be bought online.

The PCC has urged drivers to use a steering wheel lock, Faraday Pouch and ensure the car is locked when parked.