Welsh LibDems call for car theft crackdown

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for a national “car theft crackdown” after new figures revealed that almost 51% of car thefts in North Wales were left unsolved.

Data published by the House of Commons Library shows that 51% of car theft offences in the North Wales police force area went unsolved in the last year, highlighting growing concerns about police capacity and organised vehicle crime in North Wales.

Car theft has become an increasingly organised crime, with many stolen vehicles rapidly dismantled for parts or trafficked across borders within hours of being taken. In Flintshire and Wrexham, criminals are exploiting the area’s proximity to the England–Wales border and major routes such as the A55 and A483 to move stolen vehicles quickly, while a mix of urban centres and surrounding rural communities face stretched policing resources and slower investigation times.

The Liberal Democrats say the figures underline the urgent need for better coordination between police forces and national agencies. They are calling for the creation of a specialist car crime unit based at the National Crime Agency, which would bring together:

•    Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data
•    Insurance and vehicle registration records
•    Intelligence from police forces and border control

The proposed unit would focus on disrupting organised car theft gangs, improving vehicle recovery rates, and increasing the proportion of cases resulting in charges.

The party argues that tackling car theft effectively would not only reduce crime but also lower insurance premiums, improve rural safety, and restore public confidence in policing.

Commenting, Tim Sly, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Fflint Wrecsam said:

“Car theft is a real problem in our communities, and it is deeply worrying to see how many cases are going unsolved. Victims have a right to justice rather than unanswered questions, they deserve so much better.

“The previous Conservative government betrayed our communities with years of brutal cuts to local policing, and now the Labour government is turning a blind eye to this growing epidemic.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for a car theft crackdown to finally catch the criminals who for too long have been getting away scot-free.”