* ‘Lost or Stolen’
‘Facts Are Stubborn, Statistics More Pliable’
attributed to: Mark Twain
The extent of vehicle ‘taking’ in the UK is difficult to discern, likely understated by many. Indeed, much about the crime appears to be mispresented.
Year-on-year statistics can be found here. The information helps to understand the difficulties identifying the extent of the crime which, for this unusual type of property (a vehicle), displaying a unique identity appears odd.
Vehicle taking statistics can be found here – data relating to ‘all vehicles’ and ‘cars’.
It is very important to be aware of the caveats associated with these figures – it is ulikely anyone knows the true extent of the crime!
In 2019, the Vehicle Crime Taskforce (VCT), identified the need for vehicle crime information. However, the VCT subsequently undertook few if any of its ‘tasks’ and the ‘force’ (if ever possessed or exhibited) waned almost immediately, . Years later, the extent of the problem is unquantifiable. Statements associated with the criminal activity are misleading, confusing, in some instances possibly intentionally so.
Under-resourcing is the go-to excuse for doing little or nothing. The ‘computer says’ no or ‘jobsworth’ approach reigns. Resistance to change, a lack of imagination, initiative & innovation and/or bureaucracy stifle progress.
Joined-up thinking is absent. Those who could help construct barriers to dissuade approaches or present a pretence of assisting, directing enquiries to others in the knowledge they will embark on a fool’s errand.
For more information:
‘He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp posts – for support rather than for illumination‘**
** Andrew Lang / Romano Prodi
Statistics
03/2025 – around 8 million new and used vehicles were bought in the past year.
As of the end of December 2024, there are over 1,360,000 fully electric cars in the UK. This means that around 4.01% of the c.34 million cars on UK roads are fully electric(3)
At the end of 2018 (Untaxed & Uninsured Vehicle Report)
- there were an estimated 34.4 million licensed vehicles in England & Wales.
- It is suspected that 2% of vehicles are incorrectly taxed, equating to nearly 700,000 vehicles
- there are nearly 3 million cars registered as SORN in the United Kingdom
- it is estimated that approximately 1 million uninsured vehicles on the roads
- DVLA run campaigns highlighting the implications of having no road tax. In its most recent campaign
9,000 vehicles were clamped in the space of 2 months.