Midlands streets where most cars get stolen - check your postcode

Thousands of offences reported over the last year as residents in certain areas plagued by thieves

The areas where residents in the West Midlands are most likely to have their cars stolen has been revealed. Car crime has been a huge issue in our region over the last few years and now analysis by BirminghamLive has shown the areas which are worst affected.

Police data revealed there were thousands of vehicle offences reported in the 12 months to July. Small Heath and Highgate is the policing area in Birmingham that is worst hit by car crime, while West Bromwich is the Black Country hotspot.

There were almost 600 offences over the 12-month period in Small Heath and Highgate as fed-up residents saw their cars stolen, broken into or damaged. Other Birmingham areas where residents were terrorised by thieves included Edgbaston, South Yardley and Sparkbrook.

READ MORE: Drivers will have to pay more car tax in 2025 if they own these cars

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here

Totals for Black Country areas are often higher because policing areas are larger, so they should not be directly compared to those in Birmingham.

Birmingham - Car crime offences 12 months to July 2024

• Small Heath and Highgate - 594
• Edgbaston - 504
• South Yardley - 492
• Sparkbrook - 457
• Shirley - 435
• Aston - 424
• Ladywood - 423
• Shard End - 417
• Nechells - 401
• Moseley and Kings Heath - 399
• Harborne - 380

Black Country

• West Bromwich - 881
• Smethwick - 634
• Wednesfield - 576
• Oldbury - 575
• Willenhall - 571
• Bilston - 570
• Wednesbury - 564
• St Peter's, Park and Graiseley; Wolverhampton - 512
• Ettingshall, Blakenhall and Spring Vale; Wolverhampton - 511

It comes after drivers were urged to take steps to protect their cars following a huge rise in thefts involving the cloning of key signals. This means thieves can get away with motors in minutes without even needing the keys.

Insurer Admiral says between 60% and 70% of car thefts now happen in this way, while another insurer LV told how they had increased 59% between 2021 and 2022. Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said: “Keyless technology has unfortunately led to the development of devices which are easily accessible and make stealing vehicles all too straightforward for criminals.”

Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: "You can stop this from happening by blocking the signal with a Faraday pouch, which is lined with metal and stops thieves tricking your car into thinking the key is nearby. You can even keep your keys in an aluminium tin, or pop them in the microwave, to block the signal. But a proper Faraday pouch or box is the best way forward."