Car crime continues to fall in Essex

As part of a dedicated response to vehicle theft focussing on organised crime, Essex Police have seen a reduction in thefts for the second time this year.

Figures show that in the three months to end of September, there has been a 2.7% reduction in reported vehicle thefts over the last 12 months, compared to the same period last year: that’s 159 less victims of crime.

This builds on the 8.8% reduction in vehicle thefts in the preceding three months.

Additionally, all vehicle crime has fallen 9.1% in the last 12 months, thanks to the work of our specialist Road Crime Team, Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit, Roads Policing Unit with support from teams across the force including the Dog Unit.

October saw the greatest monthly fall - a 14.3% decrease in reported car crime that month, compared to the same month last year.

And we’re solving more crimes too. October also saw 8% more vehicle theft crimes solved than October last year, achieved by identifying those responsible and bringing perpetrators before the courts.

Detective Superintendent Shaun Kane who leads the force’s response said:
We tackle the issues that matter the most to our communities.
We know the devastating impact that having your car, your van or your motorbike stolen can have, that’s why it’s a force priority and we’re committed to bringing a halt to it by focussing on organised vehicle crime in particular.
We’re intelligence-led and use that information to identify and target offenders or hot spots, to direct our resources where they will achieve great results, making Essex hostile for criminals so that we can protect our residents, communities, and businesses.
We continue to work with partners to tackle criminal use of our roads – 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.
But we can’t do it alone. We want to ask you to support us, to continue working with us, to safeguard your vehicles and deter thieves, for a safer Essex.

To help all vehicle owners, we’ve 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 the last three years, they have recovered or identified more than 1,800 vehicles worth £58.5m and investigated 106 chop shops – garages where stolen cars are dismantled or given false identities.

Last month, 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 Crimestoppers.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.

Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.

Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source. 

Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.