A SHOCKING number of cars are being stolen by children with some as young as 10 being caught.
New research from Direct Line Motor Insurance reveals 1,156 people under the age of 18 have been charged with vehicle theft in the past three years.
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The insurer says more than half (53%) of under-18s charged with vehicle theft in the past three years were aged between 15 and 16.
However, 10% of those charges were aged between 13 and 14.
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Seven children aged between 11-12 were also charged during this period.
South Yorkshire Police said children as young as 10 have been arrested for car theft in each of the past three years.
The Direct Line figures show 514 under-18s were charged with vehicle theft in 2019.
The number of young people charged fell to 356 in 2020 and 286 in 2021 with the pandemic.
Convicted car thieves were interviewed as part of the study, who revealed car theft can be a gateway crime to more serious offences.
One offender said: “They say car crime is a gateway of crime.
“Yes. That’s how it was for me anyway. I’ve done everything. Town robberies and everything”.
Direct Line’s advice to combat car theft
- Trackers: Using a tracker can play a big part in getting your car retrieved
- Alarms: Use of a motion-sensor alarm in your drive, particularly using a recorded voice, can deter a car thief from entering your car
- Cleanliness: Having a tidy car also helps, as a car thief will see a messy car and typically think there is something of value underneath the debris
- Bollards and CCTV: Consider installing a parking post or bollard to block in your vehicle on your drive and CCTV cameras to help deter thieves
- Keys: Don’t leave them visible, use a faraday pouch to store keys at home to help prevent relay theft
- Entry/exit noise: For example, having a gravel driveway – noise is a deterrent for car thieves
- Deterrents: A car behind a gate, lights, or even a dog are big deterrents for car thieves
Another said his family got him involved: “When I was young, my father, he told me when I was eight, I was driving round the park and his brother signed me up.
“My mum and dad split up…My dad came back on the scene and yes, he got me taking a few cars here and there.
“Then I went on being on my own, doing cars on my own”.
Professor Rachel Armitage, professor of criminology at the University of Huddersfield, said: “Our research found many prolific car thieves start committing vehicle crime at a young age, often in their early teens. Unfortunately, car crime can often be a gateway crime to more serious offences.
“Offending can sadly be driven by older family members, or to fund an illegal drug habit, so it is important we also consider how vulnerable children can be supported to help prevent them engaging in criminal activity in the first place.”
Lorraine Price, head of motor insurance at Direct Line, commented: “More than one car theft each day is committed by a child or teenager, which is a sad reflection of our society.
“That children as young as 12 are being charged with vehicle theft is truly shocking.
“Children should be focussing on school and having fun, they should be protected from older family members or associates seeking to lead them into a life of crime.”
“Having your car stolen can be incredibly distressing and cause significant inconvenience for the victim.
“While car owners shouldn’t have to take additional precautions to protect their vehicles, they can reduce the risk of being targeted.”
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