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24 October, 2025
 
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Cyprus emerges as key hub in UK stolen car trade

Study shows nearly 7% of vehicles stolen in the UK between 2021-2024 traced to the island, behind only Congo and UAE.

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Cyprus ranks among the top destinations for vehicles stolen from the United Kingdom, a new study by Thatcham Research and the UK’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service shows. Between 2021 and 2024, nearly 7% of stolen UK vehicles were traced to the island, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo (38.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (20.1%).

The study highlights Cyprus as a transit point for luxury SUVs and spare parts, aided by its use of right-hand-drive vehicles and strategic location in the Mediterranean. The UK has seen a surge in car thefts, with a vehicle stolen every five minutes in 2024.

Cyprus Customs officials stress that official inspections at Limassol port, including GPS checks and container scans, detect stolen vehicles, and annual seizures remain low, at five to 10 cars per year. Customs spokesperson Giorgos Constantinou suggested many stolen vehicles may bypass official channels, traveling through Turkey to occupied areas.

Authorities maintain a “zero tolerance” policy on corruption, vowing legal action against any facilitation of illegal imports.

With information from 24news.

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