Call for action as car thefts in Mid Wales go unsolved

New figures reveal that 38 per cent of car thefts recorded in the Dyfed-Powys Police area last year remain unsolved.

Glyn Preston, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Gwynedd Maldwyn, said: "Car theft is a real problem in Mid Wales, and it is deeply worrying to see how many cases are going unsolved.

"Victims have a right to justice rather than unanswered questions, they deserve so much better."

The data, published by the House of Commons Library, has prompted renewed calls for a "car theft crackdown" from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, highlighting growing concerns about organised vehicle crime in rural and semi-rural communities.

Car theft has become an increasingly organised crime, with many vehicles dismantled for parts or trafficked abroad within hours of being stolen.

Rural areas like Montgomeryshire are particularly at risk, with longer police response times and limited access to specialist resources for tackling complex vehicle crime networks.

The Liberal Democrats have proposed a new specialist car crime unit within the National Crime Agency.

The unit would improve coordination between police forces and national agencies by pooling Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data, insurance and vehicle registration records, and intelligence from police and border control.

The goal is to disrupt organised car theft gangs, improve vehicle recovery rates, and increase the number of cases leading to charges.

Mr Preston, who is also a county councillor for Llanidloes, criticised recent approaches from both Conservative and Labour governments.

He said: "The previous Conservative government betrayed our communities with years of brutal cuts to local policing, and now the Labour government is turning a blind eye to this growing epidemic.

"The Liberal Democrats are calling for a car theft crackdown to finally catch the criminals who for too long have been getting away scot-free."

The party argues that stronger action on car theft would reduce crime, restore public confidence in policing,

It believes it would also help lower insurance premiums in affected areas.