Bradford has been named among the areas with the highest number of vehicle crimes in England and Wales after recording 4,203 offences between April 2025 and March 2026, according to research compiled from police.uk records by private plate specialist Regtransfers.
Where Bradford sits in the national picture
When ranked by raw offence numbers Bradford appears fourth nationally, behind Birmingham (12,092), Leeds (5,898) and Newham (4,325). Ealing completes the top five with 4,199 recorded incidents.
| Rank | Area | Vehicle-related offences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 12,092 |
| 2 | Leeds | 5,898 |
| 3 | Newham | 4,325 |
| 4 | Bradford | 4,203 |
| 5 | Ealing | 4,199 |
Numbers, rates and local impact
The research defines vehicle crime as theft from or of a vehicle, or interference with a vehicle, and finds a total of 285,182 such offences across England and Wales in the 12-month period. However, the picture changes when figures are adjusted for population: Bradford does not feature among the top 10 areas by vehicle crime rate per 1,000 residents.
That distinction matters for residents assessing risk. High absolute numbers can reflect a large urban population and volume of cars rather than a uniquely high per-person risk. Still, the tally of incidents in Bradford will be of concern to drivers, local businesses and anyone who uses car parks or supermarket parking areas.
Where offences happen and advice for drivers
The analysis also identifies common locations for vehicle crime. Car parks are the single biggest location type, with 10,386 offences nationally, while supermarkets and petrol stations recorded 4,458 and 3,804 respectively — together accounting for more than 18,000 incidents.
- Lock vehicles and remove valuables from sight.
- Use secure parking when available, especially overnight.
- Consider simple tech such as dash-cams with parking mode or signal-blocking pouches for keyless fobs.
"These figures are a sobering reminder that vehicle crime remains a very real problem across England and Wales – and that it does not always confine itself to areas you might expect," said Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers.
Trimbee added that small, low-cost precautions can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. His advice included using tracking devices and taking care with keyless entry fobs to help prevent theft.
For Bradford residents, the findings underline the importance of vigilance in everyday routines — from where cars are parked to how keys and valuables are stored. Local authorities and police forces often emphasise that community reporting and targeted patrols can help reduce offences; however, the immediate burden of prevention typically falls on vehicle owners.
Further detail on the data and a breakdown by location type may help local councils, businesses and neighbourhood watch groups target measures where they will be most effective. In the meantime, drivers in Bradford are being urged to review how they secure vehicles and to report suspicious activity promptly to West Yorkshire Police.
