Protecting fleet vehicles as car theft rises across Europe

NFU Mutual, a UK-based fleet insurer, has shared research showing that almost a quarter (23%) of fleet owners don’t have security measures to prevent vehicle theft. Almost half (45%) of smaller fleets don’t have any vehicle security measures (including anti-theft and cyber security). 

These statistics are worrying, particularly since vehicle theft is at an all-time high across Europe. According to Statista.com, there were 130,521 motor vehicle thefts in England and Wales in 2022/23, a large increase compared with the previous year. The situation is no better across Europe. According to the latest European Union Serious Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) report, just one in four victims of car theft will see their vehicle again. Published every four years, the report analyses car crime across the EU. 

The rise in vehicle theft is not just a result of criminal activity but the evolution of technology. Organised crime gangs, more than 5,000 of which are under investigation, are stealing cars to order and deploying widely available technology to carry out ‘relay attacks’ on keyless entry vehicles. This technology simplifies and speeds up the theft process, and it is a clear example of technology-breaking technology. It’s crucial for fleet owners to be aware of this and take necessary precautions. 

The importance of anti-theft security cannot be overstated. It’s not just about protecting against theft and lowering insurance costs but enabling the development of new mobility services. These include car sharing, unique types of vehicle rental, V2V communication, in-car payments, real-time tracking, smartphone and voice integration, and location-triggered alerts. Without adequate security, particularly against theft, the potential for launching these new products is compromised. The impact of vehicle theft goes beyond losing a single vehicle and hampers the entire industry’s progress. 

Car theft across Europe

Data from Eurostat, based on police reports from each country, highlights where vehicle theft is prevalent. Italy stands out, especially in the south, where the rate of motorised vehicle theft is higher than elsewhere in Europe. Italian areas dominate the European top 10 hotspots. Other countries with a high vehicle theft rate include Greece, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Eastern Germany, and parts of Turkey. However, the number of unreported vehicle thefts elevates the rate in many areas.

Italy

Figures from LoJack Italia’s “Car Theft File 2024 ” show that 2023 there were 131,679 thefts, 7% more than in 2022. The most stolen brands include three Fiat models: the Panda (12,571 thefts, almost 10% of the total), the 500 (5,889) and the Punto (4,604).

France

Of the 70,649 cars stolen in France in 2023 (+18.9% compared with 2021), the Renault Clio IV (2,378 thefts) and the Megane IV (1,297) were the most coveted, followed by the Peugeot 3008 second series (1,181).

United Kingdom

Ranked in third place by Eurostat but second place by Statista, Data from RightReg puts the number of cars stolen in the UK in 2023 at more than 64,000 (+5% compared with 2022), with the top three models being the Ford Fiesta (5,979), the Ford Focus (2,120), and the Volkswagen Golf (2,038). However, the ranking of the most stolen brands differs, with Lexus, Land Rover, and Jaguar in the top three places. The highest thefts are recorded in Greater London, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire.

Spain

According to an analysis by Motor1.com Espana, 30,982 cars were stolen in 2023, 17.3% more than in 2022. The three most desirable brands were Mercedes (14.7% of the total), BMW (14.4%), and Toyota (16.6%). The Top three most stolen models included the Seat Ibiza (2,674 cars), the Volkswagen Golf (1,984), and the Seat Leon (1,762).

Germany

The German police recorded 29,985 car thefts in 2023, 17.5% more than in 2022. The three most popular models were the fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Kia Stinger, and the third-generation Range Rover. 

Croatia

One statistic to highlight is that Croatia recorded the highest average annual number of car thefts in CEE countries. In 2022, nearly 44 vehicles per 100,000 inhabitants were stolen there. Other countries in Central and Eastern Europe with the highest average number of thefts per 100,000 inhabitants were Czechia and Romania, respectively.

Practical ways to protect fleet vehicles from theft

Don’t ignore the obvious – lock the doors!

Surprisingly, 44% of cars were broken into via an unlocked door, according to the UK’s consumer security action network, Neighbourhood Watch.

The problem lies in complacency and the “it won’t happen to me” syndrome, a concept popularised by Psychologist Paul Slovic and his colleagues in the 1970s and 80s. They researched people’s perceptions and attitudes to risk and found that people generally downplay risk despite evidence to the contrary. They rely on heuristics—mental shortcuts—that can lead to underestimating risks if they seem abstract or unlikely to occur in one’s immediate experience. It may seem stupidly obvious to advise company car drivers to lock their cars, but these simple and obvious steps are being ignored. 

Today’s challenge for fleet managers is combating complacency through education, awareness, and a culture of ongoing vigilance.

• Lighting – 80% of car crime occurs in the dark, so parking in well-lit areas is a positive deterrent, as is having motion-sensitive security lights illuminating driveways and home parking areas. 
• Leave personal belongings out of sight and remove them from the vehicle when parked for long periods. Car thieves in urban areas watch their intended victims to determine their habits before attempting a theft, so they will know if you keep valuables in the car’s boot. 
• Don’t leave log books or service records in the vehicle, even if it seems the most logical place for them. If you become a victim of theft, it will make it easier for the car to be sold, and you may become a victim of identity fraud. Don’t leave letters or bank statements with your address in the car for the same reason. 
• If you are in slow-moving traffic or a jam, lock the doors, keep windows closed, and keep valuables out of sight. I know many women who drive with unlocked doors and windows down and their handbag or purse on the passenger seat, an invitation to any bag snatcher. Always place bags and valuables in the footwell or behind the front seats. 

1980s Anti-theft devices making a comeback

Anti-theft devices popular in the 1980s are making a comeback. Modern cars are manufactured with anti-theft security, such as immobilisers, tracking devices, and locking wheel nuts, so theft using sensor blockers has to be quick. Given a choice between stealing a car with a steering wheel lock and one without, thieves will be deterred by the one with the lock as it will take longer to steal. Wheel clamps are also effective, as are locks for pedals and gearsticks. 

Keyless Car Theft

The latest figures from tracking specialist Tracker reveal that 96% of motorists are at risk of having their car stolen via this method. This is also known as ‘relay theft’ and is simple, quick and noiseless for perpetrators. In pairs, thieves have relay amplifiers that amplify the transmission from the key to the vehicle – even through walls and doors. They identify a house with a car parked on the driveway or nearby. One thief stands by the car with a transmitter while the other moves around the house’s perimeter with the amplifier. If it gets close to the car key, it will detect its signal and send it to the transmitter, which then becomes the key. The thieves can open the vehicle, get in and drive away in less than a minute. 

How to avoid keyless theft

Until the technology to carry out such thefts becomes less easily available, there are steps drivers should take to protect their vehicles. 

• Store keys away from the house’s perimeter, particularly from doors and windows, to negate or minimise signal amplification. 
• Purchase a signal-blocking pouch (a Faraday Box or pouch) to store car fobs, and be sure to place keys there when not in use. 
• Some auto manufacturers enable key fobs to be turned off when not in use, which stops them from transmitting a signal. 
• Check that the vehicle is locked. Thieves can use jammers to intercept the signal between the fob and the car, leaving it unlocked when you may think it’s locked. Always check by trying the doors, including the boot. 

Safeguarding fleet vehicles against theft is more critical than ever, as technological advancements have made them increasingly vulnerable. With vehicle theft rising across Europe, simple steps like locking doors, enhancing lighting, and using anti-theft devices can make a significant difference. Moreover, understanding and mitigating keyless car theft risks with tools like signal-blocking pouches are essential. By prioritising security, fleet managers can reduce the theft risk and support the broader adoption of innovative vehicle technologies and services.

Main image of car thief: Shutterstock-2488685359, PeopleImages.com – YuriA

Graphic of Mororized Vehicle Theft: Landgeist.com

Image of steering wheel lock: Shutterstock-2022-2189411327, Felipe Sanchez