UK Motorists Are Leaving Their Car Keys With Strangers In Record Numbers

Despite car thefts being up 8% in the last year, nearly half of all UK motorists say they’ve left their car keys with people they didn’t know at least once every year.

Out of the 43% of car owners who admitted to this, a further 71% didn’t even check whether the companies or individuals that received their keys were members of any accredited code of practice, as reported by Autoexpress.

This research was conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), together with the Home Office, Metropolitan Police Service and Thatcham Research.

The same survey showed that just 11% had left their house keys with a stranger, though motorists still made plenty of car security mistakes even at home by leaving their keys in clear view from windows or the front door.

“With thefts significantly lower than they were 20 years ago and manufacturers using the latest technology to make our cars safer than ever, the public would be forgiven for putting vehicle crime to the back of their minds,” said Sarah Newton, Minister for Safeguarding, Vulnerability and Countering Extremism. “But the recent rise in the number of reported crimes is a reminder that determined thieves are still out there and we should remain vigilant.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT added that “technology can only do so much, however, and while car makers, the police and government continue to work together to ensure that stealing cars is as difficult as possible, these latest figures show there’s more consumers can do to minimize risk.”