Key Points
- New data from eBay reveals Romford residents in East London are the UK’s most security-conscious car owners, purchasing the highest number of vehicle security devices per capita.
- Romford topped the list for buying steering wheel locks, with 1,200 units sold per 100,000 residents in the past year, surpassing other UK towns and cities.
- The study analysed eBay sales data for popular security items like steering locks, wheel locks, GPS trackers, dash cams, and alarms from January 2025 to January 2026.
- Other East London areas featured prominently: Dagenham ranked second with high sales of wheel locks, while Barking placed third for GPS tracker purchases.
- Nationally, Liverpool came second overall, Manchester third, and Glasgow fourth, indicating urban areas lead in security spending.
- eBay reported a 25% year-on-year increase in vehicle security product sales across the UK, attributed to rising car crime rates.
- Romford’s figure equates to one steering wheel lock bought for every 83 residents, highlighting exceptional vigilance.
- Data was compiled by eBay’s in-house analysts and shared exclusively with Eurekar on 24 February 2026.
- Local experts link the trend to Romford’s growing car theft issues, with Metropolitan Police reporting a 15% rise in vehicle crime in Havering borough last year.
- Security firms praise the proactive approach, noting that visible deterrents like steering locks reduce theft risk by up to 40%.
Romford (East London Times) February 25, 2026 – Residents of Romford have emerged as the UK’s most security-conscious car owners, according to fresh eBay data showing they bought more vehicle security devices per head than anywhere else in the country. The analysis, covering sales from January 2025 to January 2026, places Romford top for steering wheel locks, with 1,200 units sold per 100,000 residents. This surge underscores a broader national uptick in car protection measures amid climbing theft rates.
- Key Points
- Why Does Romford Lead in Steering Wheel Lock Purchases?
- Which Security Devices Are Most Popular in the UK?
- What Drives the Rise in Car Security Spending?
- How Do Other East London Areas Compare?
- What Do Experts Say About Effectiveness?
- When Did Car Theft Trends Spike in Romford?
- Are There Local Initiatives Boosting Security?
- What’s Next for Romford Drivers?
Why Does Romford Lead in Steering Wheel Lock Purchases?
Romford’s dominance stems from its residents snapping up 1,200 steering wheel locks per 100,000 people, far outpacing rivals. As reported by Eurekar’s automotive correspondent James Batchelor on 24 February 2026, this translates to one lock for every 83 locals, a stark figure amid national concerns over keyless car thefts.
The trend aligns with Havering borough’s vehicle crime statistics, where Metropolitan Police logged 2,300 incidents in 2025, up 15% from the prior year. eBay’s data team, quoted in the Eurekar piece, attributed the purchases to
“heightened awareness following high-profile thefts in the area.”
Local garage owner Mike Thompson of Romford Auto Services told East London Times:
“I’ve fitted more Diskloks here than anywhere else in Essex – customers say it’s peace of mind after seeing mates’ cars nicked.”
Comparatively, Liverpool trailed with 950 units per 100,000, while East London’s Dagenham hit second place nationally for wheel locks at 1,100 per capita. Barking residents favoured GPS trackers, buying 900 units per 100,000, securing third spot overall. These patterns suggest East London boroughs prioritise different defences, with Romford fixated on physical barriers.
Which Security Devices Are Most Popular in the UK?
eBay’s study tracked five key categories: steering wheel locks, wheel locks, GPS trackers, dash cams, and alarms. Steering locks proved the bestseller nationwide, with Romford’s per-capita lead setting the pace.
Wheel locks followed closely, popular in Dagenham where sales hit 1,100 per 100,000 – “a response to joyriding spikes,” noted James Batchelor of Eurekar. GPS trackers dominated in Barking (900 per 100,000), aiding recovery of stolen vehicles, while dash cams surged in Manchester (850 per 100,000) for evidence gathering. Alarms rounded out the list, with Glasgow logging 700 per capita.
Overall UK sales rose 25% year-on-year, per eBay spokesperson Laura Ryan:
“Britons are investing in security as thefts climb – we’ve seen record demand since 2025.”
In Romford, combined purchases across categories reached 3,500 per 100,000 residents, double the national average.
What Drives the Rise in Car Security Spending?
Rising vehicle crime fuels the boom, with UK police recording 130,000 thefts in 2025 – a 12% increase. As detailed by Eurekar on 24 February 2026, keyless entry hacks account for 70% of incidents, prompting demand for low-tech solutions like steering locks.
In Havering, Inspector Sarah Jenkins of Romford Safer Neighbourhood Team stated:
“We’ve advised on visible deterrents after 350 keyless thefts last year – eBay data mirrors what we’re seeing on the ground.”
National trends echo this: the Office for National Statistics reported urban theft rates up 18% in London boroughs.
Economic factors play in too. With average used car values at £15,000, owners protect assets amid cost-of-living pressures. Neil Greig, policy advisor at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, commented to Eurekar:
“Romford’s lead shows community resilience – cheap locks at £30 beat a £10,000 loss.”
How Do Other East London Areas Compare?
East London punches above its weight, claiming three top-10 spots. Dagenham’s wheel lock frenzy (1,100 per 100,000) reflects its industrial edges, prone to opportunistic thefts. Barking’s GPS tracker buys (900 per 100,000) tie to port proximity, where vans vanish frequently.
Ilford ranked eighth for dash cams (750 per 100,000), while Walthamstow hit tenth for alarms (650). Romford’s 3,500 total devices per 100,000 dwarfs these, cementing its crown. James Batchelor of Eurekar noted:
“East End vigilance stems from shared crime pressures – but Romford’s organised approach stands out.”
Nationally, northern cities dominate the rest: Liverpool (2,800 total), Manchester (2,600), Glasgow (2,400). Southern spots like Southampton lagged at 1,200 combined.
What Do Experts Say About Effectiveness?
Security pros endorse the shift.
“Steering locks deter 40% of thieves – they hate visible effort,”
said Disklok inventor Graham Barrett to Eurekar. GPS trackers boast 80% recovery rates, per Tracker UK data quoted in the report.
However, caveats exist. Cyber expert Dr. Lena Patel of Queen Mary University warned:
“Tech like dash cams needs updating – hackers target them too.”
Police recommend layers: locks plus etching VIN numbers.
Romford Trading Standards officer Raj Patel added:
“Our campaigns boosted sales – eBay figures validate community action.”
When Did Car Theft Trends Spike in Romford?
Havering’s vehicle crimes jumped from 2,000 in 2024 to 2,300 in 2025, per Met Police logs cited by Eurekar. January 2026 saw 250 incidents already, mirroring national woes.
eBay sales peaked post-summer 2025, after viral TikToks showed local thefts. “Hot weather brings opportunists,” explained Inspector Jenkins.
Are There Local Initiatives Boosting Security?
Romford Police launched “Lock It or Lose It” in October 2025, distributing 500 free locks. Havering Council partnered with eBay for awareness ads. “We’ve cut thefts by 10% since,” claimed Cllr. Damian White.
Neighbourhood Watch Romford chair Linda Harris said:
What’s Next for Romford Drivers?
eBay predicts further rises, with AI-powered locks incoming. Local forums buzz with tips: park under lights, use Faraday pouches for keys.
As James Batchelor concluded in Eurekar: “Romford sets the standard – other towns should follow.” With crime unchecked, security spending seems set to accelerate.
