UK police report surge in uninsured vehicle seizures and record 5,000 thefts

Essex Police have confiscated more than 5,500 uninsured vehicles between January and July 2026, a figure that already exceeds the total of 3,580 seized in the whole of 2023. The force averaged 546 seizures per month, with May seeing the highest count at 632 and July the lowest at 487. Police leader Adam Pipe said the operation shows the force’s "unwavering determination to tackle the problem" and warned that uninsured driving "puts lives at risk".

West Midlands Police recorded 5,439 motor‑vehicle thefts in Birmingham during 2025, the highest number among the seven local policing authorities in the region. Theft reports were fairly consistent throughout the year, peaking in October with 487 incidents and dipping in January with 381. The data also listed theft totals for other nearby cities, such as Coventry (1,146) and Wolverhampton (1,051). Police highlighted prevention advice, including locking vehicles, securing keys and using in‑car security locks.