Increased demand for some car parts and microchips could be playing a part in rising thefts in some regions, police say.
A shortage of car parts could be to blame for a rise in vehicle thefts in some parts of the UK, according to a senior police officer.
Thieves are said to be stealing in-demand cars and stripping them in hours, so they can sell on the components. Drivers are being warned not to assume their vehicles are safe, even if left for just a few minutes, because criminals can block a key's locking signal. The pandemic led to the closure of factories that produce car computer chips, as well as other common vehicle parts, and supply is still lagging behind.Superintendent Jim Munro from West Midlands Police said:"What we've seen over the pandemic is there are some issues around parts supply coming into the motor industry and delays with builds.
He said stolen cars are sometimes taken to industrial units -"chop shops" as they are known - and dismantled"in a matter of hours", with the parts sold"for quite high prices".