
Motorists are being warned against the rise of a new trend of car theft in the UK.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested that less than 70,000 cars were reported stolen in 2014 but the latest figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, showed that since then, there has been a rapid increase in car theft, peaking at 85,688 in 2016 - a rise of almost 30 per cent.
Recent reports indicate an increasing new trend in vehicle theft termed ‘relay attack,’ whereby organised gangs utilise sophisticated electronic devices to capture and copy electronic key codes and make off with cars in a matter of seconds.
Data shows that West Yorkshire ties in fourth place with Kent for the most vehicles stolen in the country.