Motor-theft table puts Oldham in top 10

OLDHAM has been named in the top ten of the riskiest places in the UK for motor thefts.

Insurer Endsleigh’s annual Motor Theft Index shows the number of vehicle crimes in the borough are a ninth-worst 47 per cent above the national average.

The worst was Hull at 85.1 per cent above the average and the safest was Swindon at 55.7 per cent below the average. Manchester was the fourth at 74.6 per cent above the average.

The figures come in spite of recent Government statistics showing a national reduction in car crime by almost a fifth over the past year.

And it’s more woe for Oldham’s motorists, coming just weeks after Endsleigh revealed the borough is the UK’s sixth riskiest place for motor accidents at 20.2 per cent above the national average.

Endsleigh’s statistics show that eight out of the top ten riskiest places for motor theft are in the Midlands and North of England and most of the safest are in the South.

The figures cover stolen cars and possessions from vehicles and were collected by analysing motor claims over the last three years.

Endsleigh spokesman Stuart Wartalski said: “Despite the encouraging national Government statistics that show a decline in car crime, some cities are still at higher risk and our figures will of course be a concern to residents of Oldham.

“However positive local safety initiatives, such as the Oldham Neighbourhood Policing division concentrating on the local area and local concerns such as vehicle crime, are having a significant impact.

In 2007/2008 the total crime rate decreased by nearly 20 per cent in comparison to 2003 figures.

“It is important for drivers in Oldham to remember to avoid any unnecessary risk, particularly just after Christmas when drivers have often been given easy-to-steal items such as DVDs, laptops and cameras as gifts.”

The results also showed students between the age of 16 and 24 make 14 per cent fewer motor insurance claims than non-students of the same age.