Hot spots for vehicle theft revealed
Motorists in Hull are the most likely to suffer car theft while those in Swindon enjoy the lowest rates of vehicle crime, a survey claimed today.
Hull is the UK's riskiest city for theft of and from vehicles, with a rate 122.6 per cent above the national average, according to a report from Endsleigh Insurance.
In second place is Nottingham (86.3 per cent higher than average), followed by Manchester (73.9 per cent), Stockport (73 per cent) and Ilford (72.9 per cent).
By contrast Swindon comes out on top as the safest place for vehicle theft, with a rate 48.5 per cent less than the national average.
Also in the top five for low car crime are Norwich (39.1 per cent), Solihull (38.3 per cent), Exeter (35.4 per cent) and Cheltenham (35.1 per cent).
Endsleigh ranked the UK's towns and cities by comparing the frequency of vehicle theft claims among its motor insurance policyholders over the three years until the start of 2008.
Rhiannon Harris, from Endsleigh, said: "Our report shows that there are some towns and cities which pose a greater risk for vehicle owners than others.
"The fact remains that no motorist - wherever they live - can afford to be complacent."
* According to Endsleigh, the 10 most dangerous towns and cities for vehicle theft are:
1. Hull (rate 122.6 per cent above the national average)
2. Nottingham (86.3 per cent)
3. Manchester (73.9 per cent)
4. Stockport (73.0 per cent)
5. Ilford (72.9 per cent)
6. Northampton (72.8 per cent)
7. Bradford (65.0 per cent)
8. Sheffield (49.6 per cent)
9. Leeds (48.7 per cent)
10. London (total) (47.1 per cent)
The 10 safest are:
1. Swindon (rate 48.5 per cent below the national average)
2. Norwich (39.1 per cent)
3. Solihull (38.3 per cent)
4. Exeter (35.4 per cent)
5. Cheltenham (35.1 per cent)
6. Plymouth (31.9 per cent)
7. Dundee (31.5 per cent)
8. Preston (30.8 per cent)
9. Cambridge (30.3 per cent)
10. Colchester (24.1)