Global crime network drives vehicle theft claims to £640m

A global network of organised criminal gangs is fuelling a surge in UK vehicle thefts, driving insurance claims to £640 million in 2024, according to new data from Thatcham Research and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).

Despite the UK having the highest vehicle security standards in the world, high-specification cars, SUVs and pickups are being stolen to meet overseas demand for vehicles and parts.

The data estimates that a vehicle was stolen every five minutes in 2024.

The study shows that 52% of intercepted stolen vehicles were from premium and luxury brands, with SUVs making up nearly 80% of those recovered.

The top export destinations for these vehicles include the Democratic Republic of Congo, UAE, Cyprus, Jamaica and Georgia.

Criminal gangs are targeting UK vehicles due to their high specification and suitability for left-hand drive markets.

Factors such as parts shortages, natural disasters and geopolitical events are fuelling demand for stolen vehicles abroad.

Flooding in the UAE and sanctions affecting the Russian market have increased demand for certain models and components.

Thatcham is calling for new methods to disrupt this illegal trade, including the ability to safely disable stolen vehicles remotely and make stolen parts harder to reuse.

The organisation has also urged continued collaboration with government, manufacturers and law enforcement to tackle organised vehicle crime.

Richard Billyeald, Thatcham Research chief research and operations officer, said modern vehicle security has reduced casual theft, but organised gangs remain a growing threat due to their access to sophisticated tools and global logistics networks.

He added: "The organised criminal gangs who have replaced casual thieves are well-funded and sophisticated in their approach, combining specialist electronic equipment with an international logistics network.

"Raising vehicle security alone will not prevent thefts, we believe that beating these criminals requires cooperation between government agencies, vehicle manufacturers and ourselves to reduce the value of stolen assets and therefore the incentive to steal them."