Jaguar Land Rover has decided to donate over £1 million to the UK police force to combat the rising issue of car thefts in the country. This move comes after insurance companies labeled Land Rover and Range Rover products as ‘uninsurable’ due to an increase in keyless car thefts. Despite JLR recalling several models to address security concerns, some customers’ cars are still not covered by the company’s insurance scheme.
In the past, JLR had already pledged several hundred thousand pounds to help police crack down on criminal gangs involved in stealing vehicles and shipping them out of the country. The initial donation was intended to support additional policing at key ports like Felixstowe, Southampton, and Tilbury. The recent increase in funding will not only aid local police forces nationwide but also establish a new national intelligence gathering unit focused on car theft gangs.
JLR’s efforts seem to be paying off, with over 650 officers receiving extra training and pilot programs leading to arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles. The company attributes the 49% decrease in the number of Range Rovers found at ports in 2023 to these initiatives and security updates. JLR’s managing director, Patrick McGillycuddy, emphasized the importance of continually developing systems and security features to stay ahead of emerging threats and deploy anti-theft measures promptly.
According to CAP HPI data, diesel versions of the Land Rover Discovery remain the third most stolen vehicle per 100,000 examples on the road. The Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque also rank among the top five most stolen cars. While car security firm Nextbase raised concerns about the decriminalization of car theft, JLR reported that only 0.2% of new Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports were stolen, along with 0.3% of new Land Rover Defender models.
Despite these statistics, car theft convictions remain low, prompting JLR to reinforce its commitment to supporting authorities in combating the issue in the UK. The company’s proactive approach, in combination with ongoing security measures, aims to address the vulnerability of certain vehicle models to theft. As JLR continues to collaborate closely with law enforcement, the focus remains on safeguarding vehicles and creating a tangible impact on reducing car theft crimes in the country.
In conclusion, Jaguar Land Rover’s substantial donation to the UK police force reflects a proactive stance in addressing car theft issues and supporting law enforcement efforts. By investing in additional policing resources and intelligence units, JLR aims to curb organized crime activities targeting its vehicles and contribute to a safer automotive landscape in the UK.