The number of car thefts rose for the first time in 10 years in 2013, according to anti-car crime foundation AVc.

In total, 11,761 family cars were taken, a rise of 3.2% on 2012, while the percentage of stolen cars returned to their owner fell from 46% to 43%.

Newer cars are more attractive to thieves than old ones and Lexus, BMW and Volkswagens are the most popular target, the AVc says.

There was, however, an 8.6% reduction in motorbike thefts and the number of scooters stolen fell by 10% to 14,487.