Rising Vehicle Crime – Practical Steps Every Motorist Can Take

County Durham and Darlington are feeling the impact of an increase in vehicle crime across the country.  

Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, explains in her own words what this means, how the police are responding and also how motorists can take actions to protect their vehicles and help deter offenders.

Vehicle crime is increasing across the country, and sadly County Durham and Darlington have also felt the impact. Whether it’s theft of vehicles, theft from vehicles, or the fast-growing threat of keyless car crime, these offences are becoming more organised and more opportunistic.

For many residents, the consequences are deeply personal: the loss of independence, the cost of repairs, and the frustration of dealing with insurance and disruption to work or family life.

Police are responding with targeted patrols, intelligence-led operations, and new technology. But the reality is that most vehicle crime is preventable, and a few simple steps can dramatically reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Preventing these crimes is a shared effort, and every motorist can take practical actions to protect their vehicle and help us deter offenders.

Make Your Vehicle a Harder Target

Most thieves look for easy opportunities. You can deny them those chances through simple daily habits:

• Always lock your vehicle, even for a brief stop.
• Remove valuables from view — bags, coats,tools, devices.
• Use a steering wheel lock, still one of the most effective and visible deterrents.
• If you have a van, consider additiona ldeadlocks or slamlocks, particularly if you store tools or equipment overnight.

Use Technology to Deter and Detect

Modern, affordable technology allows motorists to secure their vehicles better than ever.

• CCTV and Doorbell Cameras:
  ‍Home CCTV or video doorbells such as Ring provide strong visual deterrence and crucial evidence when needed. Many crimes are now solved because a neighbour’s camera captured suspicious behaviour or a vehicle arriving on a street.

• Trackers and Smart Tags:
  ‍Not everyone needs an expensive tracking system, but low-cost devices such as GPS trackers hidden discreetly in a car can significantly improve the chances of recovering a stolen vehicle. Criminals know that time is against them when vehicles can be traced quickly.‍

• ‍Protect Keyless Entry Vehicles:
  ‍Relay attacks are a major driver of vehicle theft. If your car opens without pressing a button, store your key fobs away from doors and windows and keep them in a Faraday (signal-blocking) pouch. A simple pouch from as little as £5 can stop sophisticated criminals in their tracks.

Park Smart

Location matters. When parking away from home:

• Choose well-lit streets with good visibility.
• Park where there is high footfall or natural surveillance, not isolated corners.
• Don’t leave your vehicle in the same unattended location for long periods.
• At home, use driveways where possible, close gates, and consider installing motion-activated lighting.

Stay Informed – Knowledge Protects You

Vehicle crime patterns often emerge in clusters. Being aware of incidents in your local area means you can take preventive action immediately.

I strongly encourage all residents to sign up to Keep in the Know, our free community alert system providing updates on crime trends, police activity and prevention advice tailored to your neighbourhood.

Sign up here: https://www.keepintheknow.co.uk.

Neighbourhood Watch also provides excellent guidance for protecting vehicles: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar.

‍

‍Report, Record and Share

If you witness suspicious activity, report it. If your camera captures something, share it. One piece of footage can identify a suspect or link incidents across different areas. Call 101 for non-emergencies or report online or call 999 if a crime is in progress.

Vehicle crime is not inevitable. With simple precautions, informed communities, and strong policing,we can protect our vehicles and keep our neighbourhoods safer, stronger, and more resilient.

Ends

‍