FROM Essex Police: “This year, as part of our dedicated response to vehicle crime, and in particular vehicle theft, Essex Police continues to see a force-wide reduction in these crime figures and an increase in the number of solved cases.
Figures show that in the 12 months to the end of November there has been a 10% fall in all vehicle crimes: that’s 985 less victims of crime compared to the 12-month period ending November 2023.
In the same period, there has been a 3.9% reduction in the reported incidents of theft of vehicles compared with the previous year’s figure: across the county, it equates to 226 fewer cars stolen. Those figures reflect the increasing work done to tackle this issue as just one month earlier, the 12 months to the end of October 2024, showed a 2.7% reduction in theft of motor vehicles recorded.
“This work builds on the overall crime reduction data from across the county showing crime continues to fall with nearly 9,500 fewer offences than the previous 12 months, thanks to the hard work of all our officers”.
Detective Superintendent Shaun Kane who leads the force’s response to this priority crime-type said: “Collaboration between teams from across the force means we are now consistently delivering policing activities that aim to disrupt organised criminal gangs from carrying out vehicle thefts or opportunistic individuals.
“Our resources are being used to great effect, in the areas where they are needed the most and have the greatest impact.
“Everything we do works towards making Essex hostile for criminals so that we can protect our residents, communities, and businesses.”
Data shows that vehicle thefts have been falling consistently throughout the year thanks to the work of our specialist Road Crime Team, Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit, Roads Policing Unit and with support from teams across the force including the Dog Unit.
To add to those figures, we are now solving more thefts: in the last year we’ve solved 3.7% more vehicle crimes achieved by focussing on organised crime groups and identifying those responsible and bringing perpetrators before the courts. In October alone, the solved rate increased to 10.6% compared to October last year, showing that our resources are being used to great effect.
Our dedicated Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit has alone recovered or identified £13.5million worth of stolen vehicles and vehicle parts as a result of 847 jobs. To date, that equates to 669 confirmed stolen vehicles in Essex and beyond, 45 “chop shops” identified and 318 vehicle examinations carried out. They have also intercepted 15 shipping containers, each with several stolen vehicles loaded inside destined for export abroad.
Supt Kane explains: “As we continue to work with partners to tackle criminal use of our roads, we are embracing more opportunities to increasingly cause disruption to criminal gangs. I have confidence that we’re doing all the right things to put an end to this high harm behaviour, to protect all car, van, and motorbike owners.
“And we’re sharing more intelligence than ever so that anyone who thinks that driving over a border makes them immune to detection or arrest is wrong. It makes us more determined to track them and bring them to justice.
“We’ve made vehicle theft a force priority and we’re committed to doing everything we can to stop it, but we recognise that there is more that we can.
“That’s why I’d ask anyone who has vital information about who is involved in vehicle thefts, to contact us and we’ll capitalise that information turning it into action.
“We’d also ask you to support us, to continue working with us, and safeguard your vehicles to deter thieves, for a safer Essex.”
To help all vehicle owners, we launched a crime prevention video to encourage you to take some simple steps that could help prevent you falling victim to car theft and make it difficult for a thief:
Lock your car, always.
Switch off the engine while you visit the ATM or pop into a shop, don’t leave it running.
Place keyless fobs in a signal-blocking pouch.
Store car keys out of sight and away from front doors.
Use additional security measures such as a wheel lock that make it more difficult to steal your car.
Remove all valuables from sight, that way it’ll remove temptation and reduce opportunities to steal your possessions.
In October, Crimestoppers launched a campaign requesting anonymous information on who is responsible for vehicle theft in your community.
For information on the Crimestoppers campaign, and how to make a report, visit: Vehicle theft in Essex | Crimestoppers.
Alternatively, you can let Essex Police know who is involved in vehicle in your area by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at www.essex.police.uk.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.
Alternatively, you can call us on 101.
In an emergency always call 999.
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