Rising numbers of keyless cars has led to a surge in thefts.
Five police forces reported car thefts up more than a fifth in a year.
Staffordshire police recorded the biggest increase, of 37.5 per cent.
Four other forces saw car thefts rise by more than 20 per cent, website motorway.co.uk revealed.
Seven forces in England and Wales recorded fewer car thefts in 2018.
Keyless technology is blamed, with thieves using gadgets to hack into keyless cars.
Motorway boss Alex Buttle said: “These figures suggest over-stretched police are struggling to curb rising car crime, and in particular keyless car thefts.
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“Advancements in anti-theft systems do not seem to discourage thieves, who are using a variety of ever-more sophisticated techniques to break into and start cars.
“The 21st century thief isn’t using a hammer to smash a window and hotwire a car.
“They’re armed with wireless transmitters, signal jammers and key programming devices, and can open car doors and start engines in seconds."
He added: “The police can only do so much, and there is a responsibility on drivers, particularly those with highly desirable prestige motors, to check they are not being watched, to keep their car keys in a safe place away from windows and front doors, and to consider fitting a tracking device as an added level of protection.”
