Warning to every driver of these cars as models stolen most often revealed

Car crime has surged across the West Midlands, with police chiefs openly admitting they are on the backfoot in the war against criminals. And now the vehicles most likely to be nicked have been revealed.

Thousands of cars were swiped by crooks across the West Midlands last year, as brazen thugs nicked vehicles from driveways and streets. New data has now revealed the models targeted most often by criminals.

They include Mercedes, BMWs and Land Rovers. But the car stolen most often last year was the Ford Fiesta.

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That’s according to research by car security firm Vehicle Defence, which analysed latest crime data. A BirminghamLive investigation revealed last month how hardly anyone was being caught for car crime offences.

Fords, BMWs, Mercedes and Vauxhalls all featured prominently on the list of most nicked cars. And drivers of these models may want to be extra cautious that their vehicle is safe.

Car models stolen most often

1. Ford Fiesta
2. Range Rover
3. Ford Focus
4. VW Golf
5. Mercedes C-Class
6. BMW 3 Series
7. Land Rover Discovery
8. Vauxhall Corsa
9. Vauxhall Astra
10. Mercedes E-Class

West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine admitted this week car crime had not come down as had been hoped following the diverting of extra manpower towards the issue. She said global demand for parts, as well as the rise in use of keyless technology, was driving offending and making their job harder.

The top cop revealed how officers would close a chop shop one week, then another would open the week after. DCC Jardine said: “This has been a real stubborn issue for us to tackle. We have seen some increases in vehicle crime, particularly around theft of actual vehicles.”

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She added: “We would have hoped our real focus on the offenders, on executing warrants, on chop shops, on handlers, all that activity, would have seen a decrease, because it traditionally does, and we just haven’t seen that.” Last month, “scumbag” opportunistic thieves nicked a car off a driveway in Sutton Coldfield when its unsuspecting driver was ambushed as she was getting out of it.

Will Cheshire, director at Vehicle Defence, said: “Criminals are always looking for ways to steal cars, so it’s essential that drivers take all necessary precautions.

“Knowing which models are being targeted will help people identify any potential risks and take action accordingly.”

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