12th February 2026
Although Police Scotland's national crime bulletin doesn’t break out regional vehicle‑theft figures in detail, the broader trend is clear. Vehicle theft has been rising again since the pandemic, in line with UK‑wide patterns. National recorded crime overall remained broadly stable between 2023-24 and 2024–25, with total crime falling by less than 1% .
To understand the north, we rely on two sources:
National and regional crime‑trend summaries from the Scottish Police Authority
These show that while violent crime and overall crime levels have stabilised, acquisitive crime — including vehicle theft — has been creeping upward, especially in areas where:
cars are parked in unlit or rural locations
keyless‑entry vehicles are common
organised groups travel into the region
What’s Happening Specifically in the North
Although the Highlands and Islands remain one of Scotland’s lowest‑crime regions, the pattern of vehicle theft is shifting:
1. More targeted, organised thefts
Groups travel north from the Central Belt and beyond, targeting:
keyless‑entry cars
4x4s
vans used by tradespeople
This mirrors UK‑wide trends where certain models (e.g., Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic, Audi A3) are disproportionately targeted .
2. Rural vulnerability
Rural areas like Caithness, Sutherland, and Moray face:
fewer CCTV‑covered streets
darker, unlit driveways
longer police response distances
These conditions make opportunistic theft easier.
3. Increase in "theft from" vehicles
Even when cars aren’t stolen outright, break‑ins for tools, electronics, and keys have risen — consistent with UK‑wide data showing rising car break‑ins since 2019 .
What This Means for the North
The north isn’t experiencing the volume of theft seen in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but the type of theft is changing:
fewer joyriders
more professional, targeted thefts
more keyless‑relay attacks
more thefts of work vans and 4x4s
This is why even low‑crime areas like Caithness and Moray are seeing more residents invest in:
steering‑wheel locks
driveway lighting
Faraday pouches
trackers
How People in the North Can Protect Their Vehicles
Here are the most effective, evidence‑based steps:
1. Use a Faraday pouch for keyless cars
Prevents relay attacks — the fastest‑growing theft method.
2. Fit a steering‑wheel lock
Highly effective deterrent for organised thieves.
3. Install a tracker
Improves recovery chances dramatically.
4. Improve driveway security
Motion lights, cameras, and parking close to walls all help.
5. Keep keys away from doors/windows
Relay devices can pick up signals through walls.
6. Update vehicle software
Manufacturers patch vulnerabilities regularly.
7. Don’t leave valuables visible
Break‑ins often precede attempted theft.