Interior Ministry confirms which Vega Baja towns suffer the most car thefts

Car theft remains a growing concern in the southern part of Alicante province. According to the latest figures from Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, two municipalities in Vega Baja del Segura — Pilar de la Horadada and Orihuela — recorded some of the highest car-theft rates relative to population in 2025.

The figures come from the official Balance de Criminalidad 2025 report.

More than one theft per thousand residents

Both municipalities registered a rate of 1.15 stolen vehicles per 1,000 residents.

However, the yearly trends differed.

In Orihuela, police recorded 97 car thefts, about 12–13% more than the previous year.

In Pilar de la Horadada, with fewer than 25,000 residents, 28 thefts were reported, representing an increase of over 50%.

A southern Alicante hotspot

The statistics reveal a cluster of municipalities with elevated theft levels.

After Pilar de la Horadada and Orihuela, the list includes:

• Alicante

• Elche

• Torrevieja

All of these cities recorded more than one vehicle theft per thousand residents.

Police operations

Police have recently intensified operations against organised criminal groups involved in vehicle theft.

In one recent case, investigators dismantled a gang stealing cars to sell them on the international market, including France and other European countries.

Car theft in Spain

According to the Ministry of the Interior, more than 33,000 vehicles were stolen in Spain in 2025, averaging roughly 90 car thefts per day nationwide.

Penalties for car theft

Under the Spanish Criminal Code, penalties may include:

• up to 2 years in prison for illegal use of a vehicle

• 3 to 5 years in prison if theft with intent to sell is proven

• heavier sentences for crimes involving organised groups.

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How cars are stolen on the Costa Blanca

Police identify several common methods:

Relay attack – intercepting the signal from a car key.Key theft in public places.Document forgery after theft.Theft to order for resale abroad.

How to protect your car

Authorities recommend:

• using steering-wheel locks

• installing additional alarms

• parking in well-lit areas

• keeping documents outside the vehicle

• installing GPS tracking systems.

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This article was prepared using information from Spanish media reports and official data from the Ministry of the Interior.

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