You are more likely to get your car stolen in Southend than East London, a new analysis has revealed.

MoneySuperMarket, a price comparison website, has today revealed its Car Theft Map of the UK, showing where in the country cars are most at risk of being stolen.

It placed Southend as the sixth most likely place to have your car stolen, with a theft rate of 8.1 per 1,000 people.

Car thefts are the most plentiful in Romford, at 13.5 per 1,000, followed by Ilford, Birmingham, Halifax and Liverpool.

East London takes seventh spot with a theft rate of 7.2.

Echo:

Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, is officially one of the safest places to keep a car, alongside Jersey and neighbouring Guernsey, with no car thefts stated.

Kirkwall, Dumfries, Inverness and Perth follow suit, with low theft rates ranging from 0.3-0.7 per 1,000 capita, making Scotland the safest area in the UK, with half of the top 10 safest areas belonging to the region. The South West also rates well as one of the safest areas for cars, with Truro in Cornwall and Exeter.

Echo:

Those aged 30 to 49 are the most likely to report their car stolen, whilst those aged 17 to 19 years face the least risk.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “When it comes to car thieves, it turns out that the only way is Essex, as the county has three of the UK’s car theft hotspots.

“Making sure your vehicle is protected with the right insurance is key to minimising the financial impact a theft can have - but prevention is always better than cure. No matter where you are in the UK, it’s important to defend your property against planned and opportunistic theft, whether of the vehicle itself or belongings left inside.

"There are simple steps drivers can take to enhance security and thwart criminals. And if you can avoid having to make a claim on your insurance, you will protect your no claims discount and dodge a nasty hike in your premiums.

“If you do have to claim after a theft, make sure you shop around at next renewal. It might be possible to undercut your existing insurer by finding a competitive deal elsewhere.”

Top tips to help Brits keep their cars safe and secure:

  1. Fit an approved alarm and consider old-school devices such as a steering lock, especially if you have keyless entry
  2. Don’t leave valuables in sight to deter opportunistic thieves
  3. Avoid leaving keys near the front door - the easiest way to steal a car is by getting hold of the key, so make sure they’re not easily accessible
  4. If possible, park off road or in a garage
  5. Never leave your car idling on the drive while the air conditioning cools the interior, or to warm up in winter - it’s an open invitation to a thief
  6. Use a tracking device to increase the chance of recovery