Ford is most stolen car brand in West Midlands

Almost 3,000 Ford models were stolen in the West Midlands in 2024, the figures showed

Car thieves stole more Fords than any other brand in the West Midlands in the last year, with almost 3,000 taken according to police figures.

The figure is slightly lower than the previous year, however the number of thefts of Toyota, Jaguar and BMW vehicles rose by 75%, 70% and 28% respectively, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster said.

Land Rovers remained one of the most significant targets for thieves, with 32 per 1,000 registered vehicles stolen, but there has also been a 31% decline in thefts, the figures showed.

When a car was stolen it caused "significant distress and inconvenience", Foster said.

Foster said he wanted manufacturers to continue to enhance anti-theft technologies and work closely with police forces to prevent and tackle vehicle theft.

Thieves can circumnavigate onboard security by copying digital keys or boosting a car fob signal, to trick the car into opening its doors and allowing its engine to start.

"When a person's car is stolen, it causes significant distress and inconvenience. It is therefore essential, that everything is being done to prevent and tackle vehicle crime," Foster said.

"We have known for some time now that thieves are using ever more sophisticated methods to circumvent car security features and that some vehicles are still capable of being stolen in seconds.

"I am continuing to hold West Midlands Police to account, to ensure they are doing everything within their power to prevent and tackle car crime, bring offenders to justice and recover vehicles – but we also need manufacturers to ensure that car security features are fit for purpose and a top priority, so that as far as possible, we can prevent cars being stolen in the first place."

The figures have been released annually to inform motorists which cars were less likely to be stolen, he added.

Top 10 brands stolen in the West Midlands in 2024 compared to 2023:

• Ford 2,948 -1%

• Toyota 1,021 75%

• Mercedes 893 -20%

• BMW 883 28%

• Nissan 856 59%

• Land Rover 774 -31%

• Audi 595 24%

• Jaguar 595 70%

• Vauxhall 538 -6%

• Volkswagen 533 5%