Car theft top 20 revealed

Moneysupermarket.com says motorists in Chislehurst, Bromley are the UK’s most likely to claim on their motor insurance for theft from, or of, their car.

Analysis of 3.8 million motor insurance quotes on its website in the year to August 2009, showed motorists in Chislehurst are three times more likely to make a claim on their insurance for theft compared to the UK average.

Big cities also had higher rates, with Manchester, Sheffield and Bradford featuring in the top 20 for those making a claim for theft on their car insurance Romford and Ilford feature in the top 20 postcodes three times each.

Top 20 motor theft claims

• BR7 Chislehurst Bromley
• TS28 Wingate Cleveland
• IG4 Redbridge Ilford
• DN7 Hatfield Doncaster
• M3 Manchester City Centre Manchester
• BS29 Banwell Somerset
• BD1 Bradford City Centre Bradford
• S2 Arbourthorne Sheffield
• NP24 New Tredegar Newport
• RM7 Romford City Centre Romford
• IG9 Buckhurst Hill Ilford
• IG8 Woodford Green Ilford
• M4 Ancoats Manchester
• CF34 Cathays Cardiff
• S13 Handsworth Sheffield
• LS15 Barwick In Elmet & Cross Gates Leeds
• NR23 Wells-Next-The-Sea Norfolk
• DN8 Thorne Doncaster
• RM11 Hornchurch Romford
• RM13 Rainham Romford

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "I am not surprised to see metropolitan areas of the country such as Manchester and Sheffield fall in the top 20 postcodes areas.

“However what the research does reveal is a broad mix of places across the country are at risk, highlighting the issue that no matter where you live, there is always a chance you could become a victim of theft and motorists should take this risk seriously.

"Having items stolen from your car is an unpleasant experience, and with so many vehicles now containing expensive gadgets such as sound systems and Sat Navs (often on show), they have become even more of a target for opportunistic thieves.”