Latest figures show vehicle crime has fallen in Teesside

The figures revealed that there have been 617 fewer victims of vehicle crime and a 13.4 per cent reduction over the last 12 months.

In November 2024 in comparison to November 2023, vehicle crime has fallen by 21 per cent with 265 fewer crimes reported.

Superintendent Martin Hopps, Cleveland Police’s operational lead for vehicle crime, said: “It is great to see that vehicle crime has fallen across Teesside. This is testament to the hard-working officers and staff who are proactively doing all that they can to disrupt criminals as well as educate and inform members of the public on how to protect their vehicles and prevent them from being targeted.

“Part of our proactivity and informed approach is in the force control room through our use of exploiting vehicle technology. Our control room operators are trained to ask the right questions when a crime is reported, which enables our officers to respond appropriately and can quickly locate the stolen vehicle and apprehend the person responsible.

“Our officers are also regularly carrying out numerous activities whether that’s through patrols, dedicated operations, and the use of a stinger vehicle in areas that have been reported as being high with crime. 

“Overall, we have not only seen crime falling but increased the public’s confidence and highlights that our work is going in the right direction in making Teesside an even safer place to live.”

To further protect your vehicle over the festive period please follow some of our advice:

• Always lock your vehicle and remove or keep items inside out of sight.
• Keep your car keys in a safe place, out of view and away from the front door.
• Be aware of car jackers, always lock your vehicle from the inside especially when stationary.
• Park responsibly by leaving your vehicle in a well-lit area.

You can find more advice here.

To report a crime please call Cleveland Police on 101 or visit our website. Always dial 999 in an emergency.