The past decade has witnessed considerable improvement in the level of vehicle theft that is taking place in the UK, with a 70 per cent reduction in the number of cars reported stolen in 2014 in comparison to 2004.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed a total of 69,547 vehicles were stolen in England and Wales last year, down from the 231,323 that were reported a decade earlier.

Advances in vehicle security and tracking, and ensuring these systems are installed as standard by many manufacturers today, means it is now harder than ever for criminals to steal modern vehicles and get away with it.

The news has been welcomed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which stated that the reduction in the number of thefts can be squarely attributed to the tireless efforts of manufacturers to make their models as secure as possible in recent years.

With more than 36 million vehicles registered to drive on the nation's roads, the figures reported in 2014 show that just 0.2 per cent of motorists were affected by vehicle theft last year. Overall, vehicle theft statistics in the UK are now at their lowest reported level since 1968.

However, SMMT believes more can still be done to safeguard the nation's cars, vans and trucks, and is calling on the automotive sector in general to now collect more details regarding any thefts that do take place – ensuring they can build a clearer picture of the vulnerabilities and exploits that still remain.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented: "Thanks to significant investments by car manufacturers in the latest security systems, vehicle thefts across England and Wales are at the lowest levels for decades.

"We are, however, calling for better tracking of how different vehicles are stolen so that we have an accurate understanding of how criminals are operating and can develop future technology to eradicate vehicle crime."