Luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has announced an investment of over £1m to aid UK police in their efforts to combat car thefts. The company hopes that this investment will help reassure its customers and protect their vehicles.
The funds will be used to support police operations in areas with high rates of car theft, as well as to gather intelligence and target ports used by criminal gangs to smuggle stolen vehicles abroad, particularly the popular Range Rover models.
In addition to financial support, JLR has also been working closely with police by sharing their expertise on the tactics and tools used by thieves to steal their vehicles. They have also been assisting in recovery efforts and prosecution of those responsible.
This investment is just one of the actions taken by JLR to support its customers. Last year, the company launched its own insurance product after many owners of Range Rovers struggled to find coverage in the wake of a series of keyless thefts. So far, the product has provided over 46,300 quotes with an average premium of £183 per month.
JLR has also taken steps to improve the security of their vehicles, both new and old. According to official police data from the national computer, only 0.2% of new Range Rovers and new Range Rover Sports have been stolen since January 2022. Similarly, only 0.3% of new Defenders have been affected since their launch in 2020.
These vehicles are highly sought after by celebrities, VIPs, and royalty, with prices starting at £75,000 for the Range Rover Sport and £104,000 for the larger Range Rover. JLR’s managing director, Patrick McGillycuddy, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the authorities and staying ahead of emerging methods used by thieves. He stated, “This additional investment, coupled with our other ongoing and proactive actions, demonstrates our dedication to making a tangible impact on combating this issue in the UK.”