According to the Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS), the common ‘white van man’ vehicle tops the list of the ten most popular vehicles to be stolen in 2009, for the second year running.

“The rise in thefts of vans demonstrates their potential value in terms of spare parts, scrap metal and the prospect of stealing extra ‘booty’ within the contents of the van.” said Head of AVCIS, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hooper. “Often, these stolen vehicles are dismantled quickly, so our advice to vehicle owners is to ensure that their security is as tight as possible.”

The top 10 stolen vehicles of 2009 are:

1. Ford Transit
2. Ford Fiesta
3. Vauxhall Astra
4. Volkswagen Golf
5. Vauxhall Corsa
6. Ford Focus
7. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
8. Ford Mondeo
9. Ford Escort
10. Vauxhall Vectra

Furthermore, across the UK, an astonishing 40% of UK drivers have been a victim of car crime and with only a 51% chance of recovering a stolen vehicle, drivers need to know whether they are at high risk and how to protect their property.

These statistics are highlighted as part of AVCIS’ inaugural Car Crime Awareness Week “Car Crime Awareness Week has been established as an annual reminder for motorists to be vigilant in order to prevent becoming a victim of crime,” said DCI Hooper. “From simple things such as keeping car keys out of sight to more detailed guidelines on what to look for when buying a used car, this week will provide an occasion for all those involved within the sector to offer advice and help motorists reduce theft opportunities.”