Car thieves in the West Midlands stole more Fords than any other car brand in the last year, Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has revealed.
Almost 3,000 were stolen in the West Midlands in 2024, new figures the PCC is publishing today show – which is a slight reduction on the number stolen last year.
Instead, thieves are increasingly turning their attention to Toyota, BMW, Jaguar and Nissan, all of which have seen an increase in the numbers stolen in the last year.
Land Rovers remain one of the most significant targets for thieves, with 32 per 1,000 registered vehicles stolen – but there has also been a 31% decline in thefts. Lexus and Mercedes also remain high-risk brands.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, releases the police data annually, to highlight the issue and to ensure vehicle manufacturers go further and faster, to improve vehicle security.
The Commissioner also wants to inform drivers about which cars are less likely to be stolen, so the information can inform their consumer decision when buying a car.
Many thieves are known to be able to get around the onboard car security features in a matter of seconds, allowing them to drive off with the vehicle, while the owner sleeps at night. This can involve copying digital keys or boosting a car fob signal, to trick the car into opening its doors and allowing its engine to start.
The PCC said manufacturers must continue to enhance anti-theft technologies and work closely with police forces to prevent and tackle vehicle theft, while consumers should be informed about vehicle security best practices and be encouraged to adopt additional protective measures, such as steering wheel locks and faraday pouches.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “When a person’s car is stolen, it causes significant distress and inconvenience. It is therefore essential, that everything is being done to prevent and tackle vehicle crime.
“We have known for some time now, that thieves are using ever more sophisticated methods, to circumvent car security features and that some vehicles, are still capable of being stolen in seconds.
“I am continuing to hold West Midlands Police to account, to ensure they are doing everything within their power, to prevent and tackle car crime, bring offenders to justice and recover vehicles – but we also need manufacturers to ensure that car security features are fit for purpose and a top priority, so that as far as possible, we can prevent cars being stolen in the first place.”
West Midlands Police have plenty of vehicle crime prevention advice here.
Top 20 stolen brands in the West Midlands
| CAR MAKE | TOTAL STOLEN 2023 | STOLEN PER 1,000 REGISTERED | TOTAL STOLEN 2024 | STOLEN PER 1,000 REGISTERED | % DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOTAL STOLEN |
| FORD | 2980 | 18 | 2948 | 18 | -1% |
| TOYOTA | 585 | 8 | 1,021 | 13 | 75% |
| MERCEDES | 1123 | 17 | 893 | 13 | -20% |
| BMW | 688 | 9 | 883 | 11 | 28% |
| NISSAN | 540 | 9 | 856 | 13 | 59% |
| LAND ROVER | 1119 | 43 | 774 | 32 | -31% |
| AUDI | 480 | 7 | 595 | 8 | 24% |
| VAUXHALL | 575 | 5 | 538 | 4 | -6% |
| VOLKSWAGEN | 508 | 5 | 533 | 5 | 5% |
| JAGUAR | 174 | 12 | 295 | 21 | 70% |
| PEUGEOT | 374 | 7 | 292 | 5 | -22% |
| HYUNDAI | 236 | 6 | 290 | 7 | 23% |
| KIA | 210 | 7 | 270 | 8 | 29% |
| FIAT | 288 | 13 | 217 | 10 | -25% |
| CITROEN | 214 | 6 | 194 | 6 | -9% |
| HONDA | 126 | 3 | 168 | 5 | 33% |
| SEAT | 145 | 5 | 161 | 5 | 11% |
| RENAULT | 197 | 5 | 144 | 4 | -27% |
| LEXUS | 132 | 20 | 129 | 19 | -2% |
| MITSUBISHI | 108 | 18 | 89 | 15 | -18% |
Source: West Midlands Police Crime Database and Registered Cars from Department for Transport 2023.
Back to News Archive
