Bengaluru: Motor vehicle thefts are emerging as a major driver of property crime in Bengaluru, with police data showing a sharp rise in cases over the past five years. The number of reported vehicle thefts has increased from 4,270 in 2021 to 6,227 in 2025, underscoring a persistent challenge for law enforcement in India’s technology capital.

According to official figures, cases climbed to 6,165 in 2023, dipped slightly to 5,575 in 2024, and surged again this year. On average, this translates to 14 to 16 two-wheelers being reported stolen every day across the city.

Black spots and easy targets

Bengaluru police have identified several “black spot” areas with high footfall and limited surveillance where thefts are more frequent. These include Jeevan Bima Nagar, Whitefield and parts of Electronic City.

A senior police officer said many vehicle owners inadvertently make it easier for thieves by parking in unlit lanes near metro stations, malls and commercial hubs to avoid paying parking fees.

“Many owners park in poorly lit areas to save money. These become easy pickings,” the officer said.

He explained that professional thieves can break a handle lock and hot-wire a motorcycle in under 60 seconds. Typically, one member of the gang keeps watch while another uses a master key or a T-rod to snap the lock.

“They don’t take the bike home immediately. They first park it in another public place for a few hours to check if it has a GPS tracker. If no one shows up, they move it across the state border,” he added.

Budget bikes in high demand

Budget two-wheelers such as the Hero Splendor and the Honda Activa remain the most targeted models due to their strong resale value and demand in the second-hand spare parts market.

Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield), said vehicle thefts in his division had fallen by nearly 30 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, attributing the drop to heightened surveillance and coordinated crackdowns.

He noted that open parking spaces and poor lighting make areas near IT companies, metro stations, railway stations and city outskirts particularly vulnerable. The proliferation of paying guest accommodations, where 40 to 50 vehicles are often parked on roadsides, has added to the risk.

“Due to enhanced security measures, CCTV camera coverage and increased use of indoor parking, we have improved recovery rates. Last month alone, we recovered 65 vehicles in KR Puram,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that many gangs operate across state lines. Stolen motorcycles, particularly models like the Splendor, are often transported to neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where demand is high among forest workers and delivery personnel.

Dismantling and interstate networks

Police investigations have revealed that many stolen vehicles are dismantled within hours at junkyards or spare parts markets. Areas such as Shivajinagar and Russell Market have come under scrutiny, where parts are allegedly sold to local garages.

Once dismantled, tracing the vehicle becomes significantly harder. In other cases, intact bikes are quickly moved out of Karnataka, reducing the chances of recovery.

Officers say the organised nature of these thefts points to well-coordinated interstate networks that exploit gaps in surveillance and registration systems.

Technology and awareness key to prevention

Law enforcement officials stress that technological interventions and public awareness are crucial to curbing the trend.

“Technological intervention, such as installing GPS trackers and using disc locks, is the need of the hour,” the senior officer said.

Police have also urged vehicle owners to park only in authorised and well-lit areas, avoid leaving original documents in vehicles, and ensure that steering and handle locks are properly engaged.

Despite improved recovery efforts in certain divisions, the overall rise in motor vehicle thefts continues to inflate Bengaluru’s property crime statistics. As the city expands and vehicle ownership grows, authorities face the dual challenge of strengthening enforcement while encouraging citizens to adopt preventive measures.