The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for a national “car theft crackdown” after new figures revealed that more than half of car thefts recorded in Gwent last year were left unsolved.

Data published by the House of Commons Library shows that 69% of car theft offences in the Gwent police force area went unsolved in the last year, highlighting growing concerns about police capacity and organised vehicle crime in both urban areas like Newport and rural areas such as Monmouthshire.

Car theft has become an increasingly organised crime, with many stolen vehicles rapidly dismantled for parts or trafficked across borders within hours of being taken. In the Gwent police area, both rural and urban communities are affected, with rural areas such as Monmouthshire facing longer response times and fewer specialist resources, while urban centres like Newport are increasingly targeted by organised gangs exploiting major road links and cross-border routes.

The Liberal Democrats say the figures underline the urgent need for better coordination between police forces and national agencies. They are calling for the creation of a specialist car crime unit based at the National Crime Agency, which would bring together:

  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data
  • Insurance and vehicle registration records
  • Intelligence from police forces and border control

The proposed unit would focus on disrupting organised car theft gangs, improving vehicle recovery rates, and increasing the proportion of cases resulting in charges.

The party argues that tackling car theft effectively would not only reduce crime but also lower insurance premiums, improve rural safety, and restore public confidence in policing.

Commenting, Kevin Wilkins, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Sir Fynwy Torfaen (Monmouthshire and Torfaen) said:

“Car theft is a real problem in our communities, and it is deeply worrying to see how many cases are going unsolved. Victims have a right to justice rather than unanswered questions, they deserve so much better.

“The previous Conservative government betrayed our communities with years of brutal cuts to local policing, and now the Labour government is turning a blind eye to this growing epidemic.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for a car theft crackdown to finally catch the criminals who for too long have been getting away scot-free.”