NEW research has identified the top 10 areas for car crime in Warrington, with Cheshire the safest police force area in England for motorists.
The analysis of official police data conducted by CarMats4U has revealed clear seasonal and regional patterns in vehicle crime across England and Wales, with incidents peaking in autumn and reaching their lowest point in February 2025. Between June 2024 and June 2025, more than 57 million vehicle crimes were reported nationwide. The research also highlights striking contrasts between urban and rural areas, showing that while some parts of the UK face persistently high crime levels, others remain remarkably safe.
To produce the findings, researchers from CarMats4U downloaded and analysed official crime data published by data.police.uk, covering every English and Welsh police force.The total number of reported vehicle crimes was compared against local population figures from the 2021 UK Census, allowing researchers to calculate a rate of offences per 1,000 people and identify which areas face the highest and lowest risks.
The findings show that London remains the car crime capital of the UK, with the Metropolitan Police recording 11.0 vehicle crimes per 1,000 people—by far the highest rate in the country. The West Midlands follows closely behind at 10.4 per 1,000, reflecting the concentration of thefts in major urban centres like Birmingham.
Other forces with above-average rates include Warwickshire (9.1), South Yorkshire (8.9), and Lincolnshire (8.7), while Bedfordshire and West Yorkshire each reported 7.5 crimes per 1,000 people. Essex (6.9), Cleveland (6.7), and Leicestershire (6.5) round out the ten worst-affected areas.
In contrast, rural and northern forces such as Cheshire, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire sit at the opposite end of the scale, showing the lowest risk nationwide.
Cheshire’s Hotspots
Cheshire Constabulary recorded just 1.4 vehicle crimes per 1,000 people, making it the safest police force area in England for motorists.
The figures show that while the county overall enjoys very low levels of vehicle crime, a handful of busier urban centres, including Warrington, Crewe, and Chester, account for most of the recorded incidents.
A total of 2,236 vehicle crimes were reported across Cheshire, including almost 500 in Warrington, between June 2024 and June 2025, broken down as follows:
Jamie Barke, Managing Director of CarMats4U commented on the findings and provided advice for motorists.
“While it’s encouraging to see crime levels fall in the colder months, the data shows clear spikes in the spring and autumn. The seasonal pattern suggests opportunistic thieves are more active at certain times of year, particularly as the days grow shorter.”
“While reported car crimes have seemingly declined from last year, motorists must remain vigilant all year round. People take a lot of pride in their vehicles, often personalising them with custom features like car mats or fuzzy dices.When a vehicle is damaged or targeted, it’s not just the financial loss, it can be a devastating experience.”
“Simple measures like parking in well-lit areas, using steering wheel locks, and ensuring valuables are kept out of sight, and getting dashcams can deter criminals. We also recommend investing in high-quality interior and boot protection.”
