6th June 2025
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey says the Government needs to "get a grip" on car theft, with new statistics emphasising the shocking extent of unsolved vehicle theft across the UK, adding that "our police need back up from this government".
The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to rule out any cuts to policing budgets, following speculation that the Home Office will face real-terms cuts at the upcoming Spending Review.
In Thames Valley last year, almost 2,500 cases went unsolved, with less than 3% of cases resulting in a charge being brought. 70% were closed with no suspect identified.
Today, Ed Davey will visit a bicycle repair shop in Henley and Thame alongside local MP Freddie van Mierlo. He will call for the Government to take the crime more seriously, saying that unprosecuted criminals are "taking police forces for a ride" in many parts of the country.
Van Mierlo added "our police must have the resources they need."
With the Spending Review just around the corner, the Government is said to be considering real-terms cuts to policing budgets, a potential move that the Liberal Democrat leader described as "disastrous."
Ed Davey has called on the Government to commit to giving police forces the resources they need to get tough on crime - and urgently ruling out any real-terms cuts to policing budgets.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
"Freddie and I may be the ones on our bikes today, but it is thieves who are taking people for a ride as they steal cars and get away with it.
"It is a crime that is immensely damaging to victims, yet few criminals are ever held accountable for their actions. Our police need back up from this government.
"This Government needs to get a grip on this type of crime, but they will not be able to do that if they go through with these disastrous real-term cuts to policing budgets. We need our forces around the country to be supported and well-resourced. The Spending Review must prioritise policing."
Henley & Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo said:
"I'm shocked by how few criminals are actually brought to justice over vehicle theft. Thames Valley Police do incredible work, but they're stretched after years of cuts from successive governments. They need more support so they can catch these thieves.
"Just over 2% of potential criminals were charged with offences across Thames Valley - this is a theft epidemic plaguing Oxfordshire.
"It's one of the many reasons why the Government has to ensure that they do not make these dangerous cuts to policing in the upcoming Spending Review. Our police must have the resources they need so they can tackle this problem."
