THE number of vehicles being stolen in the UK has almost halved in the past three years.

Studies from an insurance claims specialist have shown that vehicle crime in the UK is decreasing with the number of vehicle thefts dropping by 45% between 2002 and 2004.

Theft of items left inside vehicles has also fallen 35.5% in the same time period.

Tim Rankin, WNS Assistance’s managing director, which undertook the survey, said: ‘The survey shows that improvements in security from motor manufacturers are having a major impact on thefts of and from vehicles, and particularly the former.

‘Company car drivers can have an impact on reducing thefts even further by ensuring their vehicles are always locked when they are absent and that available security is fully in place. With break-ins, they should never leave any valuables on show in the car when away from the vehicle.’

The survey, which looked at more than 250,000 vehicle claims handled by WNS Assistance each year showed that in 2002, 2.2% of claims related to vehicle thefts compared with 1.2% in 2004. Break-ins stood at 3.1% in 2002 compare with 2.0% in 2004.