Most at risk of car theft postcodes

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Motorists in East Sussex are revealed as most likely in the UK to claim on their motor insurance for theft from their vehicle, or worse still for their vehicle being stolen, according to data from moneysupermarket.com.

The site analysed data from ten million insurance quotes made by consumers over the past ten months.

It showed over four per cent of motorists in the East Sussex village of Winchelsea have made a claim on their motor insurance for theft in the past five years.

Saltburn-by-the-sea in Cleveland, and the village of Godstone in Surrey come in second and third place, both with just over three per cent making a claim in the past five years.

Unsurprisingly, the research reveals urban city centres Manchester, Hackney in London, and Liverpool also make the top 20 for motorists claiming on their insurance for car theft.

Andy Leadbetter, head of insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "It is quite a shock to see smaller rural villages snatching the top spots in the UK for car theft, whether its theft from the vehicle or of the vehicle itself.&quot

He continued: "Having items stolen from a securely locked vehicle, or indeed the car itself, is an nasty experience. My advice is to always be alert; park safely, for example, in a garage if possible. Improving the security of your vehicle is also be an option - fitting an alarm and using a steering wheel lock are efficient means to safeguard your car. It goes without saying not to leave valuables on display to tempt opportunistic thieves."

Here are the to 20 the most 'at-risk' postcodes:

1. TN 36 - Winchelsea in East Sussex

2. TS13 - Saltburn-by-the-sea in Cleveland

3. RH9 - Godstone in Surrey

4. CR42 - Treorchy in Mid Glamorgan

5. IG9 - Buckhurst Hill in Essex

6. RM3 - Romford in Essex

7. LS16 - Lees in West Yorks

8. DN12 - Doncaster in South Yorks

9. S63 - Rotherham in South Yorks

10. SK1 - Stockport in Cheshire

11. M25 - Manchester in Lancs

12. E8 - Hackney in London

13. IV17 - Alness in Ross-Shire

14. SE21 - Dulwich in London

15. WS8 - Walsall in Staffs

16. B72 - Sutton Coldfield in Warwikshire

17. NG11 - Gotham in Notts

18. PH15 - Aberfeldy in Perthsire

19. CM5 - Ongar in Essex

20. L10 - Liverpool in Lancs