Car theft rates are at the highest in a decade – with the most dangerous places to park your car being driveways, flat car parks, and carports. Experts have shared where to avoid parking
Public car parks trump driveways when it comes to the safety of cars, according to new research.
One Sure Insurance’s experts have dished out a stark warning to UK households after revealing the top danger zones for parking as car theft rates soar to their highest in over a decade. A staggering 130,000 vehicles were nicked in 2023, with One Sure Insurance flagging up driveways, apartment car parks, and carports as the riskiest places to leave your motor.
Crunching numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the study found that semi-private spots near homes are hotbeds for car thieves, responsible for a whopping 43 per cent of thefts. The experts also highlighted that on-street parking close to home is far from safe, being the scene of nearly one in five car thefts.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for drivers; the stats revealed that street parking near workplaces is the safest bet, closely followed by public car parks at shopping centres and town hubs, both sitting pretty at five per cent. And if you’ve got a locked garage at your home, you’re in luck these private havens account for just seven per cent of thefts, reports Birmingham Live.
A spokesperson from One Sure Insurance said: “Our research shows 43 per cent of incidents occur in semi-private areas around the home which is shocking. We would encourage drivers to ensure their vehicles are locked, windows are shut, especially during hot summer months, and that you have adequate lighting around driveways to help deter thieves.
“On-street parking near workplaces is generally safer due to increased CCTV and pedestrian traffic. If you are parking on the street near your home for a long duration, it is important to ensure your windows and sunroofs are closed, and that any personal items are removed from the car,” they added.
“On driveways, an increasing number of cars are stolen due to flaws in the modern keyless entry system. Thieves boost signals from the key to unlock and start the car. In order to deter this type of theft, we recommend using a Faraday box to store your key since this is an affordable way to enhance security.”
