Three out of every four car theft cases remained unsolved in the previous year, as per recently released data. The House of Commons library data disclosed that a concerning 76% of all car theft incidents in the past year went unresolved, with the Metropolitan police force being the worst performer, leaving 88% of cases unsolved.
Various police forces including the British Transport Police, South Yorkshire, City of London, Sussex, and Warwickshire police reported over 80% of car theft cases unsolved. Among the 44 police forces in England and Wales, a significant 35 forces had an overall unsolved rate of 60% for all cases.
Vehicle crime saw a 12% decrease in the year leading up to June 2025, with a 7% drop in vehicle theft. New legislation is being introduced to prohibit electronic tools used to bypass car security, with offenders facing potential imprisonment of up to five years.
The Liberal Democrats have urged the creation of a specialized team within the National Crime Agency to gather data from automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, insurance records, and intelligence sources to combat organized car crime networks.
Max Wilkinson MP, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, emphasized the need for better support for crime victims and criticized past cuts to police forces by the Conservative government. The Liberal Democrats are advocating for a crackdown on car theft to apprehend organized criminal groups responsible for prolonged criminal activities.
A spokesperson from the Home Office highlighted the devastating impact of vehicle theft on individuals, families, businesses, and the industry at large. The government and law enforcement are taking proactive measures to address vehicle theft, including implementing new laws, enhancing police training, and collaborating with the industry to address vehicle vulnerabilities.