Car thieves go for old

New research from Churchill Car Insurance has found that car thefts have halved in the last five years, but that thieves prefer older cars when they do strike.

The most common models stolen are usually cars that are out of production or older versions of a model where the new ones are more secure.

Old Vauxhalls and Fords have been found to be particularly susceptible when it comes to theft, while drivers of newer cars with alarms can breathe easy.

Darren McCauley, head of car insurance at Churchill commented on the effect that newer security devices have had.

"Compulsory fitting of immobilisers in new cars has been a major factor in the reduction of car theft and modern cars are hard to steal unless in possession of the keys."

Mr McCauley concluded by saying that drivers of older cars should have security devices fitted to deter thieves from their cars.