CAR crime in England and Wales dropped last year as the combined effects of manufacturers improving vehicle security, retro-security devices being fitted and greater awareness in how to combat vehicle theft took hold.

Thefts of vehicles totalled 493,302 last year - down from 508,450 in England and Wales in 1995 and from 587,856 in 1992. Meanwhile, thefts from vehicles totalled 799,445 last year compared to 813,094 in 1995 and 961,340 in 1992.

However, the Association of British Insurers report that claims for thefts of and from vehicles rose during 1996, with the number of business vehicle claims settled increasing to 115,000 during 1996 - a jump of 16% on 1995 - at a cost of £191 million (up 6%).