Car thefts down but report seeks improvements

The National Audit Office (NAO) has reported a reduction in vehicle crime, but has warned that "further progress is still required" to improve the situation.

The latest report from the NAO found that almost a third (32%) of all vehicle records in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) contained inaccuracies and over half of the local authorities with the highest vehicle crime rates, did not have a register of salvage operators. The report also stated that there were not enough safe car parks.

However, head of the NAO, Sir John Bourn, said that programmes instigated by the Home Office and other organisations, had helped to reduce thefts of and from vehicles by 30% since 1999, which he said was a "significant achievement".

The report claimed that one of the main reasons for the reduction in vehicle theft was the new improvements in the security of vehicles. It also said that good progress had been made in raising the awareness of vehicle theft.

Identifying a number of areas, which needed improvement, the report said that car parks needed better security, the DVLA needed to improve the accuracy of its records, and that tighter regulations were required for salvage operators, in order to stop criminals using the identity of written-off vehicles to sell stolen ones.

Sir John said: "Many of the initiatives to tackle vehicle crime that are in place have yet to be fully implemented. Local authorities, car park operators, the Police and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships can all do more to tackle the problem and progress will be helped by the Home Office and the DVLA improving the information and advice it provides these organisations."

(KMcA/SP)