A shortage of car parts could be to blame for a rise in vehicle thefts in some parts of the UK, according to a senior police officer.

Thieves are said to be stealing in-demand cars and stripping them in hours, so they can sell on the components.

Drivers are being warned not to assume their vehicles are safe, even if left for just a few minutes, because criminals can block a key’s locking signal.

The pandemic led to the closure of factories that produce car computer chips, as well as other common vehicle parts, and supply is still lagging behind. UK car production has fallen by more than 40% as a result.

Superintendent Jim Munro from West Midlands Police said: “What we’ve seen over the pandemic is there are some issues around parts supply coming into the motor industry and delays with builds.

“What we’ve seen in the West Midlands is likewise what we’ve seen across the piece nationally – there is a desire for certain vehicle parts, and this is fuelling the theft of motor vehicle crimes.”

He said stolen cars are sometimes taken to industrial units – “chop shops” as they are known – and dismantled “in a matter of hours”, with the parts sold “for quite high prices”.

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Mr Munro said the more common car models tend to be targeted the most.

Revealed: The areas recording the most vehicle thefts

In the year to 7 March 2022, there were 88,915 vehicle thefts recorded by 34 police forces, which provided figures to the PA news agency.

It suggests an average of 244 thefts per day.

Six of the forces saw an increase on the same period two years ago. Other areas recorded a fall.

South Yorkshire had 4,003 thefts – up from 3,135 (28% rise); City of London 45 – up from 36 (25%); West Midlands 10,812 – up from 9,091 (19%); Surrey 1,313 – up from 1,173 (12%); Merseyside 2,471 – up from 2,366 (4%); and Greater Manchester 7,737 – up from 7,661 (1%).

A West Midlands Police special operation arrested more than 2,000 suspects and recovered 1,000 stolen cars in the last year. Some “chop shops” were also closed down.

Mr Munro warned drivers to stay vigilant.

“They’re [thieves] using devices in order to block signals where people are trying to lock their cars with their fobs,” he said.

“When you’re locking your vehicle, make sure that vehicle is locked, that the signal is not being blocked, no matter how long you’re leaving the vehicle for.

“Whether it’s just to pop into the shop, make sure your car is always secure.”

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