Motorists warned of 'car cannibals' targeting vehicles for valuable parts as theft rates spiral
So-called 'car cannibals' are targeting valuable parts even when the vehicle is parked on the driveway
PA
Drivers have been warned of a rise in criminals stealing car parts as a rising number of motorists at risk of having their vehicle stripped.
The warning comes as the cost for parts has increased by roughly 35 per cent with offenders resorting to stealing rather than paying for a replacement.
With more parts being stolen, experts have detailed the rise in “chop shops” which are illegal body shops used to disassemble stolen parts from cars.
These parts are then sold separately, last year data recorded that police forces uncovered 72 per cent more shops than in 2022.
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Global factors, including the war in Ukraine, have affected the flow of car parts
PAClive Wain, vehicle theft expert and head of police liaison at Tracker, said that the production of new parts has been hit by a range of global factors.
The effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine impacted parts availability and cost, he stated.
Wain explained: “This, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, has seen demand grow for quality second-hand parts leading to this latest car crime spate.
“Even basic parts prices like discs, brake pads and wiper blades have shot up, so car cannibalisation can be a very lucrative market for criminals.”
Wain added that the rise in cases, alongside the increase in the number of chop shops, means there’s an “urgent need to ramp up vehicle security”.
Whether it happens inside illegal chop shops or in broad daylight at the side of the road, criminals are removing parts, he warned.
Thieves are stealing parts such as headlights and steering wheels which can be sold for cash or on the black market at home or abroad.
He urged motorists to "do all they can to deter criminals from targeting their car" no matter where it is left.
Offering tips for drivers, he advised not to park in unlit areas and instead opt for a safeplace near or inside a home could be a better option.
Drivers should also invest in a dashcam or visible CCTV such as a video doorbell that covers the car while parked on the driveway.
Most cars are already fitted with alarms, with drivers of older vehicles without security systems in place advised to invest in an additional layer of protection.
Another suggestion from Wain was to fit a security post or a substantial gate on the driveway which can offer a physical barrier for the car.
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PAThe final tip drivers can incorporate to keep their vehicle safe is to invest in a stolen vehicle recovery solution which will locate a vehicle if stolen.