Independent analysis of vehicle crime in the United Kingdom.
Understanding vehicle theft, identity change, data reliability and prevention.
Vehicle crime affects owners, insurers, constabularies, manufacturers and public confidence.
This site provides structured analysis, educational guidance and data-led commentary on how vehicle crime operates – and how it is recorded.
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When Industry Pays for Policing – Where Is the Line?
A recent Court of Appeal judgment concerning an insurance-industry-funded police unit deserves rather more attention than it has…
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A problem acknowledged — but how big is it?
On 05/01/2026 I submitted detailed material to the Home Office and others setting out my concern about six-week…
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IT IS STILL HAPPENING — Stop deleting stolen-vehicle records
There should no longer be any debate about whether police services continue to leave stolen-vehicle records unconfirmed. They…
WHAT THIS SITE COVERS
Understanding Vehicle Crime
- An overview
- Identity changes: ringers, clones and false plates
- Fraud vs. Theft
- Innocent Purchasers – the victims of crime and ‘the system’
- Keyless entry and electronic security claims – why would you believe this occurred?
- Stolen vehicle recovery – impounded vehicles
- Stolen vehicle recovery trends
- Export theft and organised acquisition
- Vehicle crime articles
Data & Recording
- The ‘missing’ – the DVLA are unaware of 30%+ of vehicles reported LoS to the police – what is ‘weeding’ constabulary breakdown/comparison.
- ‘WEEDING’ – the archaic, unnecessary problem ignored for years.
- What is weeding? The missing & ignored theft notifications
- Gwent police – LoS Records and the PNC “Weeding” Problem
- DVLA / Police LoS record discrepancy
- Potential Systemic Under-Recording of Stolen Vehicles – a report to the Home Office
- General commentary on statistics
- Year-on-year statistics – and the caveats
- 2023, 2024 & 2025 car theft data
- 2023 & 2024 data – with a brief mention of 2025
- DVLA notification data
- Recovery rate analysis
- Recording standards
- Police reports
Policy, Research & Resources
- Research
- Relevant Legislation
- Related articles & events – 1930 to the present day
Practical Guidance
- Vehicle Purchase
- pre-purchase checking
- Purchase consdierations
- a template purchse receipt
- Are you an innocent purchaser who:
- Purchased a stolen vehicle
- Discovered an outstanding finance agreement recorded against it
- Encountered cloning
- Experienced a fraud disposal, i.e., someone acquired a vehicle by fraud, which they then sold to you?
Structured guidance and considerations are available.
FEATURED ARTICLES
LATEST ARTICLES
- When Industry Pays for Policing – Where Is the Line?
- A problem acknowledged — but how big is it?
- IT IS STILL HAPPENING — Stop deleting stolen-vehicle records
- Lacking Intelligence — or Just Ignoring It?
- Stolen Vehicles Are Disappearing From National Records — But Who Wants to Know How Many?
- The ICO Says “Yes”, the Police Say “No”
WHY THIS MATTERS
Vehicle crime is not just about theft. It affects:
- Insurance costs
- Public confidence
- Road safety
- Fraud exposure
- Data reliability
Accurate understanding matters.
Caveat: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you require guidance on a specific matter, you should seek advice from a qualified legal professional.