Half the cars stolen in recent years remain missing, official data shows.

Figures tabled in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia show that 1,063 vehicles were reported stolen since 2015 with only 545 have been returned to their owners by the police. The rest remain unaccounted for.

Judging by these figures, one had a 50-50 chance of getting one’s car back if it was stolen in Malta. In Gozo, however, the odds are much better. Four of every five cars reported stolen in Gozo over the past years were found.

The Times of Malta reported last September that the police stolen vehicles squad had clamped down on a gang of organised car thieves following months of investigation.

The gang, consisting of both Maltese and foreign nationals, would steal cars, cash from vending machines and tools from construction sites. According to sources, the cars were torn apart and sold for parts across the island.

Never leave keys in the ignition of unattended cars

The police strongly advise motorists to never leave keys in the ignition of their car when unattended, even if for a very short time.

Motorists are also encouraged not to leave personal belongings such as bags, personal documents or even clothes visible in parked vehicles.

Making sure to lock all doors and windows and installing security hooks or a car alarm were the best deterrents, the police said.

The National Statistics Office said licensed motor vehicles totalled 382,605 at the end of last September, up 3.6 per cent over the same quarter in 2017. Data supplied by Transport Malta showed that 78 per cent consisted of passenger cars, 13.6 per cent commercial vehicles and 7.3 per cent motorcycles/quadricycles and all-terrain vehicles.

Dr Farrugia was replying to a question by Nationalist MP Chris Said.