Drivers Must Wake Up To Car Crime Warns Direct Line

Research published today by Direct Line has revealed that, despite recent reductions in reported car crime, nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of drivers in the UK have been a victim of a car-related theft or act of vandalism¹.

In a nationwide MORI survey, Direct Line found that 53 per cent of drivers have had their car vandalised, nearly a fifth (18 per cent) have had their car stolen for joyriding, and a third (32 per cent) have had property stolen from inside their vehicle.

Despite these alarming figures, a significant proportion of drivers admit that they continue to leave items on display in their car, including mobile phones (27 per cent), hand bags (13 per cent), money (15 per cent), and credit cards/cheque book (10 per cent). And nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) of drivers admit they have left a jacket on the back seat of the car.

More worryingly, one-in-six drivers (16 per cent) admit that they have left their keys in the ignition of the car with the doors unlocked, and more than a quarter (27 per cent) have left their car in a car park with the windows or sunroof open.

Steve Treloar, motor business manager at Direct Line said:

"Opportunistic car crime has not gone away. It continues to affect millions of innocent drivers each year. However, by taking a few simple precautions, like ensuring that all valuables have been removed from sight, the car is locked and all the windows are securely closed, you can significantly reduce the chances of your car being broken into or stolen."

The Northwest² remains the UK's worst affected region for car crime, closely followed by the Northeast³. Almost twice as many drivers in the Northwest and Wales (7 per cent)

have had their car set fire to in comparison to the UK average (4 per cent). Surprisingly, drivers living in Scotland's STV region (i.e. Glasgow and Edinburgh) are the least likely to have had their car set fire to (one per cent), but the most likely to have had a car stereo stolen (38 per cent).

In contrast, drivers in North Scotland (Grampian TV Region) are the least likely to have had their car stolen for joyriding (only four per cent), while those living in the Southwest of England (West Country TV region) are the least likely to have had their car vandalised (37 per cent).

Direct Line is offering drivers the following tips to avoid becoming another car crime statistic:

• Lock all the car doors. Never leave an unattended car unlocked. Make sure your boot, windows and sunroof are all closed.
• Never leave keys in the ignition and the car unattended. This may sound obvious but it's surprising how often thieves can simply climb in and drive away.
• If you have an alarm, always set it. Regularly test the car security system.
• Park in a secure well lit area. Criminals dislike bright, busy places.
• Always take your personal possessions with you. Do not even leave them in the glove box.

Technical details

1. Either car stolen, car vandalised, car set fire to, car stereo stolen, or other property stolen from inside the vehicle.
2. Northwest refers to the Granada TV region.
3. Northeast refers to the Tyne Tees TV region.

MORI conducted 2,012 telephone interviews with a representative sample of British drivers aged 17+ in October and November 2000. Results are based on all respondents unless stated. Data are weighted to the known population profile.

Driver's Experience of Car Crime

Key: red = highest region, blue = lowest region