Three out of four car theft cases remained unresolved in the past year, according to newly released statistics. Data from the House of Commons library shows that a concerning 76% of all car theft incidents went unsolved last year, with the Metropolitan police force recording the lowest solve rate at 88%.
Police forces including the British Transport Police, South Yorkshire, City of London, Sussex, and Warwickshire reported over 80% of car theft cases unsolved. Across England and Wales, 35 out of 44 police forces had a combined unsolved rate of 60% for all cases.
Vehicle crime saw a 12% decrease in the year leading to June 2025, with a 7% drop in vehicle theft. New legislation is being introduced to outlaw electronic tools used for bypassing car security, with offenders facing potential sentences of up to five years.
In response to these challenges, the Liberal Democrats are advocating for the establishment of a specialized team within the National Crime Agency to collaborate on data sharing from automatic number plate recognition cameras, insurance databases, police intelligence, and border control to combat organized car crime networks.
Max Wilkinson MP, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, emphasized the need for improved support for crime victims and criticized past cuts to police forces by the Conservative government. The current Labour government is urged not to overlook the issue, with calls for a concerted effort to tackle car theft by catching and prosecuting criminal networks.
A Home Office spokesperson acknowledged the severe repercussions of vehicle theft on individuals, families, businesses, and industries, highlighting the government’s proactive measures such as implementing new laws to deter vehicle theft and enhancing police training to address theft methods and vehicle vulnerabilities.