Region comes top for vehicle thefts
Perth and Kinross is the region with the highest number of reported car thefts in the whole of Scotland, according to new research.
The county is ahead of Shetland, which polled second, followed by the Scottish Borders and then Renfrewshire.
The details were released in a study by Co-op insurers which covers the number of claims made between 2016 and 2020.
The research also revealed Ford Fiesta owners are the most likely to make a claim following a car crime.
More expensive cars also featured in the top 10, including the Range Rover Evoque at number six and the Audi A3 at eight.
Perth and Kinross car owners have been advised by Co-op to park with the wheels pointing to the kerb, unless uphill or on a hill, to avoid the car being towed or pushed away.
The damning statistic comes as a police awareness campaign was launched urging Perth and Kinross residents to protect their vehicle from criminals.
Over the past year, when the country was subject to coronavirus restrictions and lockdown, recorded crime has fallen across Scotland.
As crime rates return to pre-COVID levels, officers are seeing a rise in the number of cars, vans and motorcycles being stolen, or having items stolen from within.
Attempted theft of vehicles has increased across Scotland and in a number of divisions, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles successfully stolen too.
Officers are now urging the public to take appropriate security measures in respect of their vehicles and valuables within, to try and prevent further victims of these crimes.
Police Scotland’s acquisitive crime lead, detective superintendent Joyce Greenhorn, said:“Please always remember to keep your vehicle locked when unattended and remove all valuables, or store them safely out of sight.
“If you are going on holiday, ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home, car, van or bike and get them to report any suspicious activity they observe to the police immediately.”
Visit www.scotland.police. uk for more information .