Thousands charged in three years

New research from Direct Line Motor Insurance reveals 1,156 people under the age of 18 have been charged with vehicle theft in the past three years, the equivalent of more than one per day. The data also reveal that children as young as 12 have been charged with the crime.

Car theft is now being identified as a ‘gateway crime’ for young people who then go on to commit more serious offences such as burglary.

More than half (53 per cent) of under-18s charged with vehicle theft in the past three years were aged between 15 and 16.

Aston spoke to Dr Keith Floyd and Lorraine Price, head of motor insurance at Direct Line.

Photo by Olav Tvedt on Unsplash