Car theft incidents reported to the MPS from January to June 2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.032470

I note you seek access to the following information:

Please could you provide me with the following information, in Excel or similar spreadsheet form if possible:

a) The number of car theft incidents reported to your force between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023;

b) The number of those incidents where a police officer arrived at the scene of the incident.”

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

The notes pages of the disclosed spreadsheet should be read alongside the data provided. This will ensure that the data is interpreted correctly.

CONTEXT
The MPS recognises the impact that motor vehicle crime can have on victims, especially those who rely on vehicles for employment or the routine of daily life. The MPS has accordingly published a series of guides on its website which advise the public on how to keep their vehicles and its content safe. I have provided a link to this information below:

MPS Website - Keeping Vehicles Safe

It should be noted that police officers do not attend every report of motor vehicle theft, primarily because members of the public will often report the theft sometime after having established their vehicle has been stolen. In fact, many calls are received the morning after the theft of a vehicle. These reports are taken over the phone and are then considered for further investigative opportunities at the scene of the theft. This will include any forensic opportunities that can be progressed

MetCC staff (staff that receive calls from members of the public) will also add reports/action makers on vehicle registrations via the Police National Computer (PNC), to enable the police to use all available technology, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), to establish whether the vehicle if it is being driven.

The MPS is committed to delivering what matters most to those that live and work in the capital and is dedicated to a providing a service that is built on more trust, less crime and high standards.

CURRENT POSITION
Theft of Motor Vehicle is on the increase with a 7.7% increase across the MPS over the last 12 months (33,409 offences). This is primarily due to the simplicity of electronic compromise and the most affected models are the Land Rover models (Range Rover, Discovery, Evoque), Mercedes, Ford (In particular the Fiesta as it’s being phased out), the Toyota Rav4 and the Lexus RX models. There has also been an increase in the theft of supercars including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles.

Theft from Motor Vehicles has seen a decrease of 5.6% over the last 12 months (61,740 offences).

Catalytic converter thefts have seen a phenomenal reduction and are at their lowest number in 4 years. We are currently seeing 82% reduction from last year’s numbers which was on top of a 27% reduction from the year before.

The MPS has prioritised Vehicle Crime under ‘The new Met for London’ plan and we are currently driving a number of initiatives to tackle the increase and reduce offending. This includes proactive policing of which on average the MPS recover 400 stolen vehicles a month, crime prevention work incorporating crime awareness events and target hardening for example the supply of faraday bags in hotspot areas, we are also in communication with car manufacturers to problem solve issues and share information, and we are working with our neighbouring Police forces to conduct joined up operations and share intelligence. On top of this everyday work we are currently pursuing surge activity funded by the Mayor’s Office under Operation Poethlyn which so far this year has made 166 arrests for vehicle crime offences and recovered 300 stolen vehicles valued at £2.3 million.

DUTY TO ADVISE AND ASSIST
Under Section 16 of the Act, there is a duty to advise and assist those that have made, or intend to make, a request for information. In accordance with this duty, I can confirm that the MPS publishes information about various types of crime on its website. I have provided a link to this information below.

MPS Website: Stats and Data

It may also assist you to note that the MPS proactively publishes all disclosures made in response to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on its Publication Scheme. I have provided a link to this section of the MPS website below.

MPS Publication Scheme
The MPS Publication Scheme can be searched using keywords and may accordingly hold other information that is of interest to you.