Half of investigations into stolen vehicles across Norfolk were closed without a suspect being identified by police.
New figures from the Home Office show Norfolk police recorded 534 crimes of 'theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle' in the year to June – down five per cent from 560 thefts the year before.
However, for victims the chances of thieves being caught remains low with less than one in 10 car thefts resulting in a charge in the past year.
And 49pc were closed due to a lack of information on suspects.
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Superintendent Matthew Moscrop – part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council team on vehicle theft – said a large proportion of thefts were by organised gangs.
He said a clamp down on the sale of technology used to break into vehicles was closing routes for selling them once they are stolen.
Gus Park, of AA insurance services, said more police action was needed but that drivers should avoid "giving miscreants an easy win" by using steering wheel locks and parking in a garage when possible.
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