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This paper presents the findings of a study on the theft of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). The research was commissioned by the Home Office Crime Prevention Agency and follows a number of smaller scale studies of this issue which highlighted LCV theft as a problem. The purpose of this research was to identify the extent of LCV theft nationally and to gain a greater understanding of how, when and where such thefts occur. When taken together with an earlier Police Research Group study of HGV theft, this research completes the picture of commercial vehicle theft in Britain.

Title: The nature and extent of light commercial vehicle theft
Authors: Rick Brown & Julie Saliba
Series: Crime Detection and Prevention Series Paper 88
Number of pages: 50
Date published: 1998

Key points

The study revealed that 47,181 LCVs were stolen over a 12 month period in England, Scotland and Wales, although most of these were stolen in England. This equates to approximately one LCV being stolen for every 50 on the road. The research shows that these tend to be focused on just three types – car-derived, panel and pick-up vans – and suggests that tackling the theft of these types could result in a significant reduction in the overall crime rate.

There is much to be gained from reducing LCV theft, especially given the study’s findings that businesses lose £152 million worth of assets each year as a result of these thefts. This is independent of other associated costs, such as increased insurance premiums, additional transport costs and lost business.

If LCV theft is to be effectively reduced it will need to be tackled from a variety of perspectives. While the police clearly have a role in tackling this crime, manufacturers, owners and drivers all have an important part to play in reducing LCV theft.

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