Just one in 20 cars stolen in Kent have been returned to their owners, shocking figures reveal.

Data gained through Freedom of Information requests show the number of vehicle thefts across the county has leapt threefold since 2018.

Dartford, Medway and Sevenoaks are the worst-hit districts, with residents reporting more than 85 incidents in each area last year.

Our stats show the vast majority of victims face never getting their cars back - as 94% of the vehicles illegally taken last year have not been returned.

Ashford motorist Daniel Surridge never saw his £38,000 BMW M2 again after it was swiped from outside his home 16 months ago.

“I never got my car back, and by now it’s long gone,” said the 32-year-old.

“They took it in the middle of the night, and there were two other cars stolen in the neighbourhood that same night.

“When I discovered it had been stolen, I was heartbroken.

“I had worked an unbelievable number of hours to save up for that car, and someone’s just helped themselves to it.”

Mr Surridge feels this type of crime has become more common in Ashford.

Official numbers for the past five years show the borough’s car theft reports have jumped 380% in four years.

The same figure across Kent has risen by 371% between 2018 and 2022. At the same time, the number of cars recovered has fallen from 61 to 37.

In 98% of cases last year no suspects were charged - sparking fears thieves are getting away scot-free.

Det Supt Lopa McDermott insists returning vehicles to their rightful owners is always her officers’ aim.

However, police are prevented from doing this if criminals change number plates, break down their haul into spare parts or set it on fire.

“Car thefts have a big impact on victims’ day-to-day lives, and we therefore fully investigate offences reported to us based on the evidence available,” Det Supt McDermott explained.

“Reuniting a victim with their stolen vehicle is always our preferred outcome, but this is not always possible.

"I had worked an unbelievable number of hours to save up for that car, and someone’s just helped themselves to it..."

“Car owners can take simple steps to protect their property such as ensuring they lock up afterwards, keep their keys safe and park in well-lit areas covered by CCTV cameras.

“Those with cars that do not require a key to start the ignition should keep their fob well away from the car or in a signal-blocking pouch, or turn off the wireless signal when it is not being used.”

This is to protect from so-called “relay theft”, whereby thieves boost the signal of keyless entry cars, allowing them to open the doors and start the ignition without breaking in.

Vehicles with the keyless engine start buttons are particularly vulnerable. It was by this method that Mr Surridge lost his BMW.

His insurance company paid out quickly after the theft - but this has meant his annual premium has jumped from about £700 to more than £1,000.

“The thing with the way they’re stealing cars nowadays with relay theft is that it doesn’t leave any evidence,” Mr Surridge continued.

“Most people wouldn’t notice their car is gone until several hours after it has been stolen.

“They did that relay theft on my car, let themselves in and we didn’t know that it had gone until the morning.

“I felt quite angry because I’d only had the car five months.

“It’s frustrating, but I guess there isn’t a lot police can do.”

Dartford, Medway and Sevenoaks accounted for more than two-fifths of the county’s car thefts last year.

Canterbury and Folkestone and Hythe had the fewest reports over the same period, with 25 and 19 respectively.