Police say actual figures lower than report claims, but still rising sharply

DYFED‑POWYS POLICE has recorded one of the steepest rises in vehicle thefts anywhere in the UK, according to new figures – with incidents up sharply in the past year and over the last five years.

The data, compiled by Go.Compare from Home Office records and freedom of information requests, claimed that the Dyfed‑Powys area saw the highest year‑on‑year increase in Britain, with a 52% jump in thefts between 2023 and 2024. The report also suggested thefts had surged by 428% since 2019 – the biggest rise in the UK.

Dyfed‑Powys, which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys, was followed by Gwent in second place with a 20% increase, while North Wales and South Wales forces also saw rises of 14% and 9% respectively.

Sharp rise, but low overall risk

Despite the upward trend, Dyfed‑Powys remains one of the safest places in the UK for car owners. In 2024 there was just one theft for every 1,666 registered vehicles – the second‑lowest ratio in the country. By comparison, in South Wales there was one theft for every 370 vehicles, and in Gwent one for every 326.

National picture mixed

Across the UK, vehicle thefts fell by around 3% last year compared to 2023 – but rates remain 8% higher than in 2019. Some northern areas recorded substantial drops, with Cleveland down 25%, Greater Manchester down 19% and Merseyside down 18%.

However, the Welsh figures suggest the problem here is worsening, particularly in rural areas where thefts were once rare.

Security advice for drivers

Steve Ramsey, managing editor for motoring at Go.Compare, said: “While vehicle thefts in the UK fell last year, certain areas continue to experience worrying increases. If you live in an area where thefts are rising, consider taking extra steps to protect your car.

“Invest in anti‑theft measures such as a Thatcham‑approved alarm, steering lock or tracker, park in well‑lit or CCTV‑monitored areas, and keep keys out of sight at home.”

Police: ‘Figures in report are not accurate’
A Dyfed‑Powys Police spokesperson said: “We know that being a victim of car crime is upsetting, costly and an inconvenience and we acknowledge the significant impact that crimes of this nature have on victims.

“While it is difficult to comment on the exact reason for the increase in reports of vehicle thefts, we are aware of reporting issues due to our transition to a new crime system in 2023 which has led to a disparity in the figures in 2023 and 2024. Measures have been taken to correct the figures, however this may not be reflected in the published ONS data.”

The force says its own records show there were 128 vehicle theft offences in 2023 and 177 in 2024 – an increase of 38.3% rather than 52%. Looking back further, the force recorded 47 such offences in 2019, meaning the five‑year rise is 276.6%, not 428% as claimed in the report.

“While the percentage increase is high, the actual number of incidents remains low compared to other forces,” the spokesperson added.

Police have issued the following advice to motorists to reduce the risk of theft:

• Lock your car whenever it is unattended.
• Keep keyless car fobs well away from your vehicle and store them in a signal‑blocking pouch.
• Use a strong, full‑cover steering wheel lock.
• Never leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running.
• Consider CCTV and motion‑sensing security lights at home.
• Avoid leaving valuables or tools on display.

More advice is available at: Keeping vehicles safe | Dyfed‑Powys Police