New study finds best places to park your car as car thefts hit decade high

Experts have issued a warning to UK motorists, revealing that public car parks are actually safer for parked cars than driveways. Insurance specialists One Sure Insurance highlighted the riskiest places to leave your vehicle, as car theft rates soar to the highest levels in over a decade.

In 2023 alone, more than 130,000 vehicles were stolen across the UK, with One Sure Insurance cautioning against parking in driveways, apartment car parks, and carports. Their analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that semi-private locations near homes are hotspots for car theft, responsible for 43% of incidents.

Additionally, on-street parking near residences is linked to nearly one-fifth of thefts. Conversely, the research found that street parking near workplaces is the safest option, followed by public car parks in shopping centres and town centres, each accounting for only 5% of thefts. Locked garages at private homes also offer relative safety, comprising just 7% of reported cases.

A spokesperson for One Sure Insurance commented on the findings: "Our research shows 43% of incidents occur in semi-private areas around the home which is shocking. We would encourage drivers to ensure their vehicles are locked, windows are shut, especially during hot summer months, and that you have adequate lighting around driveways to help deter thieves.", reports Birmingham Live.

They added: "On-street parking near workplaces is generally safer due to increased CCTV and pedestrian traffic. If you are parking on the street near your home for a long duration, it is important to ensure your windows and sunroofs are closed, and that any personal items are removed from the car,".

They also warned about the risks of parking in driveways, stating: "On driveaways, an increasing number of cars are stolen due to flaws in the modern keyless entry system. Thieves boost signals from the key to unlock and start the car. In order to deter this type of theft, we recommend using a Faraday box to store your key since this is an affordable way to enhance security."