Vehicle Crime Soars as Authorities Stand Still
In the absence of real action, vehicle theft, professional/organised ‘taking’, has flourished.
Back in 2019, authorities acknowledged the crisis, deeming it severe enough to justify the creation of a Vehicle Crime Taskforce (VCT). Led by the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner – amid a surge in thefts and allegations of police inaction – the task force was meant to tackle the problem head-on.
It didn’t.
The VCT identified issues, drafted recommendations, and compiled a list of actions. Then, it disbanded without a single follow-up meeting.
Since then, vehicle theft has increased – why would it not! More cars stolen, more high-value targets, fewer recoveries – many of those found stripped to the frame – and minimal prosecutions.
Fast-forward to mid-2024, and history repeats itself. A new initiative, the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), was announced. As of February 2025, it has yet to meet. Its stated objectives closely resemble those of the 2019 task force, raising the obvious question: What, if anything, has been done in six years?
But the issue runs deeper than empty task forces. The very nature of vehicle crime appears to be misunderstood – or worse, deliberately ignored. While car thieves adapt, organize, and operate with impunity, the response from those in authority remains the same: committees, press releases, and silence.
