In France, a vehicle is stolen approximately every four minutes, highlighting the alarming rise in the 'make-up' of stolen cars for resale across Europe.
A recent report from the 'Coyote Secure' observatory reveals that in France, a car is stolen every four minutes, with the ministry of the Interior reporting 125,200 vehicle thefts in 2025. This alarming statistic points to a steady trend from 2024 but also uncovers a new and concerning development: criminal networks are increasingly sophisticated in their operations, particularly in the practice known as 'make-up' of stolen vehicles.
The process of 'make-up' involves erasing all identifying marks from stolen vehicles, such as engravings and serial numbers, and assigning them new registrations. This illegal transformation enables these cars to be sold legally elsewhere in Europe, presenting a significant challenge for law enforcement and raising urgent questions about vehicle security and market regulations. The report emphasizes that these organized crime networks are not only increasing in number but are also improving their techniques to evade capture and sell their products without detection.
As this issue expands beyond national borders, it poses implications for cross-country cooperation in tackling vehicle theft crimes across Europe. With such a high volume of thefts, it necessitates greater efforts from both governmental and law enforcement agencies to tighten regulations and implement more effective tracking systems to curb the worrying trend of stolen vehicles entering the legitimate market. Immediate interventions and robust public awareness campaigns are crucial in combating this growing threat.
