Car theft hotspots in the UK

For years, car theft in the UK was on the decline. In the two decades leading up to 2013, the numbers fell steadily. Since then, the trend has reversed. Home Office data shows vehicle thefts have risen by around 75% in the past decade. The rise is driven by criminals exploiting keyless entry systems, organised groups exporting stolen cars abroad, and a growing demand for spare parts.

So what does this mean for drivers today? Some areas are far riskier than others. Below, we’ll look at the 10 hottest spots in the UK where cars are most likely to be stolen.

Top 10 car theft hotspots in the UK

Here, we’ll talk about the areas where car thieves operate the most.

If you live in any of these areas, consider this a reminder to take car safety measures, such as using a steering wheel lock, keeping your key fob in a Faraday pouch, parking in secure areas, and fitting a tracker. Of course, these aren’t the only measures available, but for now, let’s focus on the topic at hand.

Barking

Barking tops the UK chart for per-vehicle theft risk. Its dense estates, retail zones, and links to the A13 give criminals both easy access and a quick escape.

This is also where the London-wide trend becomes clear: the capital dominates by volume. In 2024, there were over 100,000 thefts. Barking’s figures (648 per 100,000 vehicles) show that some London boroughs record theft rates 20-30 times higher than those seen in rural areas.

Hayes

Hayes sits next to Heathrow, where high-density parking and industrial estates concentrate thousands of cars in a small area. Combined with strong road links, it’s no surprise Hayes ranks near the top. It’s also an example of a London postal town driving up the city’s overall risk profile, both in absolute numbers and in per-vehicle theft rates.

Thornton Heath

Thornton Heath, a dense Croydon neighbourhood, is defined by its packed residential streets and kerbside parking. This is one of the postcode-level hotspots that push theft rates far above the national average. In Thornton Heath, you can see how smaller urban areas face much higher theft risks than rural places.

Dagenham

Dagenham’s estates and major road access (A13, M25) make it another London hotspot. Like Barking, it reflects how organised crime benefits from both local density and regional infrastructure.

The area also struggles with broader crime and deprivation statistics, which add to its challenges. Rates of unemployment and low household incomes are higher than the London average.

Enfield

Enfield lies on London’s northern fringe, which gives thieves easy access to the M25 and A10. It also consistently ranks above the London average for burglary and antisocial behaviour, and parts of the borough struggle with youth violence and gang activity. Some wards also show higher levels of economic deprivation than surrounding boroughs.

Birmingham

The UK’s second city also sees some of the highest theft numbers outside London. The West Midlands Police area, which includes Birmingham, reported 13,545 vehicle thefts in 2024, with 932 vehicles recovered. The motorway network (M6, M42) makes it easy for organised groups to move vehicles in and out.

Like London, Birmingham shows high volumes and high recovery, but also repeat offences that reflect persistent criminal activity. The good news is that Birmingham’s overall rate of antisocial behaviour has been falling over the past decade.

Coventry

Coventry sits in the West Midlands corridor, where car theft is both frequent and organised. Its location on the M6 provides rapid access to wider routes, and its commuter and industrial zones add exposure. Interestingly, aside from its high vehicle theft rate, Coventry ranks among the top 20 safest cities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland overall.

West Midlands

The broader West Midlands region reflects the same trend seen in Birmingham and Coventry: high theft volume, high recovery, and repeat offences. Nationally, it ranks just behind London in overall theft activity. Police recovery figures here are among the highest, but FOI data shows these counts understate total thefts, since not all stolen vehicles are recovered.

Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester follows a similar pattern. Police here recorded nearly 3,800 recovered vehicles in 2024, which placed it third nationally after London and the West Midlands. The motorway network (M60, M62, M6) supports organised theft and rapid movement of vehicles. Like in Birmingham, repeat offences are a challenge, and the recovery data points to a mix of opportunism and organised activity.

London

London dominates UK car theft both by absolute numbers and per-vehicle rates. Between October 2023 and September 2024, it saw over 105,000 thefts: 28% of the England & Wales total. Boroughs such as Barking, Hayes, and Dagenham drive this average sharply upward, with theft rates of more than 500 per 100,000 vehicles.

Nationally, RUSI analysis shows thefts rising 75% since 2014, largely due to keyless entry vulnerabilities and demand for parts. London reflects this most clearly, where high density, exposure, and organised networks converge.

Sources, data notes & methodology

The car theft figures come from an analysis of official police records, obtained primarily through FOI requests made to UK police forces. If some police forces didn’t share full data, their figures were filled in using Home Office crime statistics. Additional context and trends were drawn from the RUSI report Organised Vehicle Theft in the UK: Trends and Challenges.

The following forces didn’t provide complete FOI responses, so their data is taken from Home Office reports instead: Northamptonshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, City of London, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Sussex, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Thames Valley, Devon & Cornwall, Gwent, Dyfed-Powys, North Wales, South Wales, Humberside, and Police Scotland.

Some incidents go unreported or are recorded under different categories, like “interference with a vehicle.” FOI-based figures capture only stolen-and-recovered cars, so the true number of thefts is likely higher, and low detection and charge rates mean recovery isn’t guaranteed, especially for newer or high-value vehicles.

Final Words

Not to anyone’s surprise, London is the most affected city for vehicle theft. Outside the capital, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester see the highest activity, with thousands of vehicles stolen and many repeat offences. In some areas, numbers have started to fall, which proves that efforts to tackle theft have an impact.

Even beyond these hotspots, areas like Hertfordshire saw an 11% rise, with some districts spiking 22-30%. This means that car theft affects more than just big cities and continues to grow and evolve across the country every year.

But instead of worrying, we can turn this information into something helpful. Now you know that you need to stay alert and take steps to protect your car, whether you are in London or a smaller town. Be vigilant, stay aware, and you’ll already be a step ahead!