Almost half of urban drivers have been a victim of vehicle crime in the last year, a survey reveals. Other issues include vehicle theft (11% in urban areas and 6% overall); theft of vehicle parts such as catalytic converters, wheels or steering wheels (11% in urban areas versus 5% overall); other motorists failing to leave a note after causing minor damage (9% in urban areas and 8% overall); and numberplate cloning (9% in urban areas versus 5% overall). The RAC said it was worrying to see that so many drivers have experienced some form of vehicle crime over a 12-month period. Thatcham Research said the figures show the rising tide of technologically enabled vehicle crime. Chief executive Jonathan Hewett commented: “Vehicle theft is no longer just opportunistic – it’s increasingly driven by organised criminal gangs using sophisticated methods.