Once again, New Delhi has secured the unfortunate title of leading the list for cities with the highest number of car thefts.

For the second consecutive year in 2023, Bhajanpura and Uttam Nagar remain the most vulnerable areas, as identified by a recent report titled 'Theft and The City' released by insurance provider ACKO. Additionally, the report has brought to light three emerging hotspots for car thefts: Shahdara, Patparganj, and Badarpur.

Comparing theft rates across six major cities, the report reveals that Chennai and Bengaluru claim the second and third positions, respectively, in terms of vehicle theft occurrences. On the contrary, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata report the lowest numbers of car theft incidents.

The report further sheds light on the alarming trend of vehicle thefts doubling between 2022 and 2023. Although Delhi continues to lead in this unfortunate category, its share of vehicle thefts compared to other Indian cities has decreased from 56% in 2022 to 37% in 2023. On average, there is one reported case of car theft every 14 minutes in the National Capital Region (NCR), with a daily average of 105 reported incidents in 2023.

Interestingly, the report identifies specific days when car thefts are most prevalent, namely Tuesdays, Sundays, and Thursdays. However, it is essential to note that thefts occur consistently throughout the week.

Several factors contribute to Delhi's vulnerability to car thefts, including the lack of organized parking facilities in residential areas, the thriving market for second-hand vehicles and spare parts, porous borders, and the ease of filing FIRs (First Information Reports) in the city.

According to the report, Maruti Suzuki cars account for a staggering 47% of all stolen vehicles. The most frequently targeted models in the Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) include popular hatchbacks such as the Maruti Wagon R and Swift, followed by the Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Grand i10, and Maruti Swift Dzire.

In light of these concerning trends, the report underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and urges residents to exercise increased vigilance, particularly on days with high theft rates. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying factors contributing to Delhi's susceptibility to car thefts.

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