Car theft has ‘disrupted every part of my life’
A woman in Upton, near Wakefield, says the theft of her Range Rover from her driveway has disrupted family life and left her children worried that thieves might return. The case highlights high vehicle theft rates in West and South Yorkshire, where police say car crime remains a significant problem.
The theft was captured briefly by a home camera at about 01:15 BST, despite the thieves apparently using a signal blocker; Walker believes they also exploited the car’s keyless entry system. Between April 2025 and April 2026, West Yorkshire recorded 5,789 car thefts and South Yorkshire 4,453. The forces had rates of 2.4 and 3.1 thefts per 1,000 people respectively, compared with 1.9 across England and Wales; South Yorkshire Police says its vehicle thefts have fallen by 8.4% since August 2024.
- A keyless Range Rover was stolen from a West Yorkshire driveway.
- West Yorkshire recorded 5,789 car thefts in a year.
- Police recommend signal-blocking pouches and extra vehicle security.