Urgent warning as Sheffield becomes third most likely place to have your car stolen

Sheffield has been named as a crime hotspot for vehicle thefts.
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The number of vehicles stolen in the UK dropped by nearly 15 per cent last year, with 28,454 offences recorded, compared to 33,289 in 2019.

The coronavirus pandemic is said to have played a part, with more people staying at home.

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But comparethemarket.com has revealed that vehicle theft is still an issue and has listed the 10 places in the country with most offences reported over the last two years, based on 26 police forces which provided data.

Sheffield has been ranked as the third worst place in the country for vehicle theftSheffield has been ranked as the third worst place in the country for vehicle theft
Sheffield has been ranked as the third worst place in the country for vehicle theft

Birmingham West ranks as the top theft hotspot with a total of 3,105 vehicles stolen, followed by Liverpool with 2,338 and Sheffield with 2,322.

Doncaster was ranked fifth and Rotherham was eighth.

Nationally, 61,743 vehicles were stolen over the two years, with comparethemarket.com claiming the theft of keyless entry vehicles accounted for 93 per cent of offences in 2020.

Sheffield’s theft rate fell last year, but Doncaster and Rotherham both recorded increases.

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Detective Inspector Benjamin Wood, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Throughout the lockdown period police forces across the country saw a decrease in vehicle crime. Since restrictions were lifted, we are pleased to see that the rate has remained steady at this level in Sheffield.

“Officers across the city are dedicated to cracking down on this type of crime, however, with advances in technology providing new opportunities for criminals, we recognise there is always more work to be done to bring the rate down.

“We would urge anyone with concerns to contact us so that we can investigate and deploy additional resources where they are needed, and bring those responsible for justice.

“There are also a number of things you can do to secure your vehicle to help reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

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“Keeping your vehicle keys hidden is a good first step to limit opportunities for criminals. Keep them out of sight from windows and out of reach of letterboxes.

“Containers that block your key’s signal can prevent keyless thefts, while something as simple as an old-school steering wheel lock can be an obvious, yet effective deterrent for thieves.”