Workington's top of the west Cumbria vehicle theft list again, and police want you to lock up Workington tops west Cumbria vehicle theft figures for third year running
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
Workington had the most vehicle thefts of seven west Cumbrian places for the third year running, though the figure fell to 23. Police say lock your car, hide your keys and don't leave the engine running to defrost it.
If you've got a car, van or bike parked on the street in West Cumbria, give this a read.
A Freedom of Information request from Newsquest Cumbria shows Workington has had the most vehicle thefts and unauthorised takings of seven west Cumbrian places for three years running. Cumbria Police recorded 23 in Workington in 2025/26. That's down 20.7 per cent from 29 the year before, and 24 the year before that, so it's heading the right way, but it's still top.
Whitehaven came second with 18 in 2025/26, after 10 the year before and 22 the year before that. Maryport had 16 in 2023/24, then eight in each of the next two years. Seaton, Egremont, Cleator Moor and Aspatria were in the figures too. In total there were 201 offences across the seven places from April 2023 to March 2026. Take out the cases of taking a vehicle without consent and Workington still tops the list, with 20 last year.
The police said the numbers "may seem relatively low", but "point to around a vehicle theft every week in the west Cumbria area". They also said: "Thieves tend to look out for easier and more attractive targets. Always lock your vehicle."
Their tips are simple. Lock it, because some thieves just try door handles until one opens. Keep your keys safe and out of sight. Don't leave tools or laptops in the vehicle. Try not to park somewhere dark or out of the way overnight. And now it's getting colder, don't leave the engine running to defrost it, because that's an open invitation.
Seen something odd? Report it on the Cumbria Police website or ring 101.
Cumbria Police recorded 23 vehicle thefts or unauthorised takings in Workington in 2025/26, down from 29 the year before, but still the most of seven west Cumbrian places. Police are urging owners to lock up and keep keys out of sight.
This is for car, van and motorbike owners in West Cumbria, especially anyone parking overnight on the street.
A Freedom of Information request by Newsquest Cumbria has shown that Workington has recorded the highest number of vehicle theft or unauthorised taking offences of seven west Cumbrian towns and villages for three years in a row. Cumbria Police recorded 23 offences in Workington in 2025/26, down 20.7 per cent from 29 in 2024/25 and compared with 24 in 2023/24.
Whitehaven had the second-highest total, with 18 offences in 2025/26, 10 in 2024/25 and 22 in 2023/24. Maryport recorded 16 in 2023/24, then eight in each of the following two years. The other places in the data were Seaton, Egremont, Cleator Moor and Aspatria. Across all seven, there were 201 offences between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2026. Leaving out cases of taking a vehicle without consent, Workington still had the most, with 20 in 2025/26.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said the figures "may seem relatively low", but "point to around a vehicle theft every week in the west Cumbria area". They added: "Thieves tend to look out for easier and more attractive targets. Always lock your vehicle."
Police advice is to keep your vehicle locked, because offenders can try door handles until they find one open. Keep keys safe and out of view, and take valuables such as tools and laptops out of the vehicle. Think about where you park overnight and avoid dark or secluded spots where you can. As the weather turns colder, police also warned against leaving the engine running while the vehicle defrosts, which they said can be easy pickings for an opportunist.
Anyone who sees something suspicious can report it on the Cumbria Police website or call 101.