128 motor thefts reported in Waterford last year
Waterford has seen a significant increase in motor thefts.
In 2024, 128 motor thefts and related offences were reported in Waterford, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office.
This was a 46% increase on the 88 incidents reported in 2023.
A total of 7,623 motor thefts were reported nationally in 2023, with 5,000 of those vehicles being cars.
The 2024 national figure has surpassed 2023 by 4%, demonstrating an upwards trend in car thefts and related incidents and highlighting 2024 as the worst year for motor theft in Ireland in more than a decade.
In 2024, the primary hotspots for motor theft incidents across Ireland were Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Dublin makes up a sizeable proportion with 4,305 vehicles stolen, followed by 851 in Cork and 502 in Limerick.
Commenting on the latest motor theft statistics is OUTsurance Ireland CMO Ian Kennedy, who said: “The growing trend of motor thefts continued last year, with 2024 surpassing 2023 figures, increasing by 4%.
"The Irish public needs to be increasingly vigilant in protecting their vehicles and ensure not to make simple mistakes like leaving keys near their front door or valuables on display in their vehicle.”
OUTsurance has advised the public to ensure that doors, windows, and the boot are locked before leaving your car, even if it's just for a few minutes.
The public are also advised to install a steering wheel lock, keep valuables out of site and use a GPS tracker such as an Airtag to improve the chances of recovering your vehicle if it is stolen.
Vehicle owners should also be cautious with spare keys and be mindful of where you leave your keys at home, as criminals will know through experience where people may decide to hide their spare key.
If you can, choose parking spots in well-lit areas with plenty of activity. Thieves are less likely to target vehicles in places where they can easily be seen or caught on camera.
