More than 4,000 vehicle theft offences have taken place in Worcestershire over the last five years – and data shows certain makes and models are more likely to be stolen, including by professional gangs of so-called ‘car key burglars’.
Figures for Worcestershire show that 4,191 vehicle theft offences were recorded between 2021/22 and 2025/6 – but police are targeting the ‘brazen’ criminal gangs responsible and some of the worst offenders are behind bars.
These 4,191 offences are further broken down into cases of aggravated vehicle taking (180 offences) and theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle (4,011 offences).
Freedom of Information request on car theft
The data, supplied to the Worcester News following a request under the Freedom of Information Act, show that in the last five years, vehicle thefts peaked in 2024/25 when there were 988 vehicle theft offences, falling to 812 in 2025/26.
Meanwhile, West Mercia Police has revealed the steps being taken to tackle vehicle theft, including working across borders with other forces as they continue to offer advice to motorists on how to reduce the risk of vehicle theft.
We reported in April how a ‘brazen gang’ of 11 car key burglars who stole nearly £3.5million of vehicles were sentenced to a total of 94 years and eight months for their roles in the biggest conspiracy case dealt with by the force.
Eleven members of the gang were handed the terms at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17 after they stole nearly 100 cars between May and August 2024.
Certain makes like Land Rovers are targeted
The figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act also show that certain makes and models of vehicles are much more frequently stolen than others.
Data shows that for estate cars, the most frequently stolen are Land Rovers when 94 were taken over that five-year period.
The most stolen moped was a Piaggio (seven offences) followed by a Lexmoto (six offences) and Peugeots (six offences).
Data shows the most stolen motorcycle is a Honda (72 thefts) over the last five years, followed by a Yamaha (62 thefts).
The most stolen hatchbacks were Fords where there were 85 stolen followed by Vauxhall where 28 were stolen. The next most stolen hatchback was a Volkswagen (21 thefts).
What West Mercia Police is doing to stop thefts
Chief Inspector Charles Parker said: “West Mercia Police has a clear plan for tackling vehicle theft. We are committed to pursuing criminal justice for offenders whilst looking more holistically at prevention.
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“Our officers are experienced in these types of investigations which can be lengthy and complex, involving multiple offenders. This includes cross-border working with other forces to build up a picture and take action. We have seen a number of successes in court, however there is always more to be done.
“A key part of this work is limiting opportunities for crime to take place, we work in communities running crime prevention workshops, we have officers who actively work with the public to design out crime and we continue to offer reassurance patrols and visits.
“We know a proportion of vehicle thefts involve keyless entry, which is reliant on relay devices enhancing the signal from the vehicle key or fob inside the house to the vehicle.
READ MORE: West Mercia: Gang locked up after huge spate of car thefts
“We would encourage owners to put their keys into bags or tins which can block the signal.
“Other ways that owners can protect their vehicles include using steering locks, wheel clamps, ghost immobilisers, tracker systems or air tags.
“Most offences occur overnight, and we would encourage people to review their home security in terms of cameras, burglar alarms and secure anti-lock snap devices on doors to make it as difficult as possible for thieves.”
The car key burglary gang brought to justice
The gang of sentenced to a combined total of 94 years in April stole high-end cars including BMWs, Audis, Land Rovers and Range Rovers – some of which were worth over £100,000 each – typically by breaking into their victim’s home and stealing the car keys and then bleach or clean their entrance and exit points to hide forensic evidence before speeding off in the stolen vehicles, causing extensive damage.
Some of the gang members were from Worcestershire, including Charlie Taylor-Bates, 20, of Evesham.
He was sentenced to four years and ten months and three years concurrently in a young offenders’ institution. He was disqualified from driving for 48 months.
READ MORE: Gang jailed after Worcestershire car key burglaries
Another from the gang was Riley Reeve, 28, of Pitwell Lane, Aldington, Evesham, convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit burglary for which he was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. He was disqualified from driving for 76 months.
Bradley Archer, 29, of Rynal Place, Evesham was sentenced to seven years and six months, and four years to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for 93 months.
Chance Gill, 27, of Eckington, was sentenced to eight years for his involvement in Operation Flare, as well as a six-year sentence for conspiracy to commit burglary for offences in Wiltshire (sentenced imposed consecutively). Gill was also given a 12-month sentence for failing to stop/dangerous driving to run concurrently, and disqualified from driving for 191 months.
More data on vehicle thefts in Worcestershire
The most stolen lorry was a Ford (Europe – model not specified), where there were 24 reported thefts and the most stolen motor caravan were Fiats (seven thefts) and Fords,
The most stolen pick-ups were Nissans (36 thefts), Fords (23 thefts) and 12 Mitsubishis.
The most stolen saloon cars were Fords (79), BMWs (54), and Vauxhalls (26).
The most stolen vans were Fords (107 thefts) and Mercedes vans (23 thefts)
Another section did not specify the type of vehicle stolen, recording only the name of the manufacturer with the highest recorded thefts involving Fords (421 thefts), Land Rovers (152 thefts), Vauxhall (108 thefts), Volkswagen (87 thefts), BMWs (99 thefts) and Mercedes (76 thefts)
