New Delhi: In recent times, India has witnessed a dramatic surge in vehicle thefts. The year 2023 saw an alarming increase, with incidents rising to more than double the previous year’s figures. The capital city of New Delhi is at the epicenter of this crisis, with a vehicle being stolen every 14 minutes.
Delhi The Hotspot for Vehicle Theft
The ‘Theft and the City 2024’ report by a digital insurance company highlights that Delhi leads the nation in vehicle thefts. In 2023, the city accounted for 80% of the country’s car thefts, with approximately 105 vehicles reported stolen daily. Despite this, Delhi’s proportion of overall vehicle thefts in India saw a decrease from 56% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.
Rising Trends Across Major Cities
The phenomenon isn’t confined to the capital alone. Other major cities like Chennai and Bengaluru have also seen significant increases in vehicle thefts. Chennai’s share doubled from 5% to 10.5%, while Bengaluru’s incidents rose slightly from 9% to 10.2%.
Targeted Vehicle Brands
Thieves are targeting vehicles that command a high resale value in the market. Maruti Suzuki, with its popular models like WagonR and Swift, tops the list at 47% of all thefts. Hyundai’s Creta and Grand i10, along with Maruti’s Swift and Dezire, are also frequently stolen.
Modus Operandi of Thieves
Modern vehicles equipped with advanced security features, such as keyless entry systems that use barcodes on windshields, have not deterred thieves. They have adapted by scanning these barcodes and sharing the codes internationally to unlock and remotely access the vehicles, facilitating theft.
Two-Wheelers: A Preferred Target
The report also sheds light on the theft of two-wheelers, which surpassed car thefts in 2023. Models like Hero Splendor, Honda Activa, Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda Dio, and Hero Passion were among the most targeted by thieves.
