car thief in Cologne: Clearly recorded decline - a ray of hope?

Von Sophie Müller

police register fewer car theory in Cologne - the most popular brands

The current statistics of the Cologne police show a significant decline in car theft. In 2023, 636 cases were registered, which was a decrease of 17 percent compared to 544 in the previous year. These figures refer to the entire police headquarters Cologne, including Leverkusen. Unfortunately, only about every fifth theft could be informed.

The development of the car theory in Cologne shows that the numbers decreased sharply during pandemic. From 2022, however, Cologne experienced an increase in this area until a positive turn took place in 2023.

The most frequently stolen car brands in Cologne are Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, Audi and Toyota. These brands dominate the list of thefts, and according to the police, thieves often use anonymous underground garages in residential complexes as preferred places for car theft.

Methods of the perpetrator and protective measures

The police point out that the latest locking systems such as the Keyless GO system offer new opportunities for perpetrators. The police recommend parking vehicle owners to park their cars on easy -to -see, illuminated and frequented places. If you have a garage, you should also use it and always complete the garage door.

An additional problem for the region is the proximity to the Benelux countries. Organized gangs use the highways to quickly bring stolen vehicles across the border to the Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg. This contributes to the increase in theft.

In addition to these challenges, the police observe a trend in which traveling gangs gain access to car breaks through break -ins. Technical aids, such as radio extenders, are also used to overcome keyless systems. These developments illustrate the challenges that the police have to cope with in the fight against Autodieftle in Cologne and the surrounding area.

The economic damage caused by car theft in North Rhine-Westphalia is considerable. According to the overall association of the German insurance industry, the damage was almost 57.8 million euros last year, with insurance paying an average of around EUR 19,800 per theft. SUVs of the upper class and the upper middle class are particularly in sight of the perpetrators.