The DVLA (Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has revealed that roughly 61,343 cars were reported stolen last year, making it the third-highest annual tally in a decade
They also released a list of areas where car thefts were most frequent, based on population, to provide an accurate picture of the towns and cities that suffer the most from car crime.
Thornton Heath in Croydon ranked at number four, making it the first south London area on the list.
In Thornton Heath, the car theft rate is 557 per 100,000 motors.
Barking in east London and Hayes in west London ranked first and second, with a car theft rate of 648 and 569 respectively.
Birmingham ranked at number three with a car theft rate of 557.
Dagenham in east London ranked at number five with a car theft rate of 538.
London, Enfield, Ilford, and Beckenham, all in the capital, also made the top 10, with Smethwick in the West Midlands coming in at number nine.
The Metropolitan Police warns all drivers to lock their vehicles as the number one rule to prevent car theft.
A statement on the Metropolitan Police website says: “Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief.
“Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.
“It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather.
“If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.
“If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly.
“Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.”
Other key advice includes keeping cars safe, being aware of carjackers, parking responsibly and watching out for illegal tow trucks,.
