Car theft
If your car has been stolen or broken into, read our advice and learn how to get support. You can also report it to us online, by phone, or in person
What car safety is
Keeping your car safe is about different ways to stop it from:
- being stolen
- belongings being stolen from the car
- being damaged on purpose
How to report car theft or a break-in
If you want to tell us about car theft or a break-in, you can report it online, by phone, or in person.
What to do if your car is stolen or broken into
If your car is damaged on purpose or broken into:
- contact your insurance company to check cover, make claims, or ask if locks should be replaced
- get an approved car locksmith to replace your locks if needed
If your car was stolen:
- contact your insurance company to make an insurance claim
- tell the DVLA online if your insurance company pay out the claim
For more advice on what to do read Government advice on what to do after car theft.
Get support from other organisations
You can get support from other organisations:
- Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for help with vehicle tax and making changes to vehicle ownership or status
- Secured by Design for security standards, advice, and certified security products
- Sold Secure for certified security products
- Master Locksmith's Association to find local locksmiths and for information on lock standards
- Neighbourhood Watch Scotland offers local community support and advice
- Victim Support Scotland gives support and information to anyone affected by crime or has to go to court (phone: 0800 160 1985)
Ways to help prevent your car being broken into or stolen
To help stop your car from being stolen or broken into you can:
- use locking nuts to stop your wheels from being removed
- fit a car alarm
- consider using a ghost immobiliser so your car only starts when you enter a PIN
- park it off the street or in a garage
- leave your car in a busy area with CCTV
- always lock your car, even if you’re only leaving it for a short time
- never leave your keys in the ignition or leave a smart key inside your vehicle
- hide or remove any valuables so they cannot be seen from outside
- use a Faraday key signal blocker or an RFID (radio frequency identification) pouch even when your keys are in your house
When parking at home, you can also consider:
- adding security lights such as motion sensor or timer-activated lights
- using CCTV to check and record activity on your property
Ways to protect your property
Read our break-in page for more information on how to protect your property and valuables.