The Met Police have been criticised for failing to solve 90 per cent of car thefts in London, with new figures described as “staggeringly high.” Home Office data revealed that 90.2 per cent of car thefts in the capital between February and June 2024 were classified as “unsolved cases” by the force, City AM reported.
The Met conducted 8,861 car theft investigations during this period “with an outcome recorded,” but only 80 cases – or 0.9 per cent – led to a charge or summons, according to the data. In 7,996 investigations, “no suspect [was] identified.”
An average of 78.5 per cent of car thefts went unsolved across England and Wales, amounting to almost 25,000 cases during the same quarter, research from the Liberal Democrats indicated. The Met Police recorded the highest rate of unsolved thefts, followed by South Yorkshire at 85 per cent, and Essex, Wiltshire, Sussex, and Hertfordshire at 80 per cent.
Only 2.8 per cent of cases – approximately 900 – resulted in a charge or summons in England and Wales, the Lib Dems reported.
Lisa Smart, Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson, said victims were “left without the justice they deserve, with a staggeringly high number of car thefts going unsolved, and thieves getting away scot-free”.
She continued: “Every victim of a crime deserves to feel safe and protected by the police. But after brutal cuts to community police officers, that is far from the truth. We urge the new government to change course by getting tough on crime, properly investing in local neighbourhood policing, and keeping communities safe.”
In response, a Met Police spokesperson acknowledged the impact of motor vehicle crime on victims, particularly those reliant on their vehicles for work or daily routines.
They stated: “We have prioritised vehicle crime under our New Met for London plan and are implementing initiatives to address the increase and reduce offending.
“This includes proactive policing with neighbouring forces to recover stolen vehicles, crime prevention efforts such as awareness events, and partnerships with car manufacturers to address underlying issues.
“There are several measures motorists can take to protect their vehicles, such as fitting a steering lock which can act as a visible deterrent, keeping electronic car keys in a signal blocking pouch when not in use, and removing valuables or ensuring they are not left on display. Further crime prevention [advice] is available on the Met website.”
A Home Office spokesperson called vehicle theft “a distressing crime” and highlighted efforts to tackle it through the National Vehicle Crime Working Group. This includes officer training, promoting secure vehicle practices, and collaborating with industry to prevent theft.
A spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he “wants to see more cases solved and car thieves brought to justice.”
They added: “The Met has prioritised tackling vehicle crime in London and the mayor has called on car manufacturers to improve security features on vehicles, as this is a national issue that the police can’t tackle alone.
“The previous government made massive cuts to policing, which has had a damaging impact in London and across the country. But Sadiq continues to invest record amounts in neighbourhood policing from City Hall, which has helped to put an extra 1,300 police officers on our streets to tackle local concerns and priorities, including car theft.
“The mayor is also supporting the Met’s work in using data, tracking technology and intelligence to target the most prolific offenders so we can continue building a safer London for everyone.”
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