One third of motorists are victims of vandalism, according to a survey commissioned by Direct Line Car Insurance. Only two years ago this figure was only 10%, a shocking increase in such a short time.

The most startling statistic to emerge is that there has been a fifty percent increase in vandalism offences amongst females in the 11-17 age group. These young women are now responsible for over 60,000 separate acts of vandalism each year, often as part of a ‘girl-gang’ culture. Offences include breaking off external car parts, slashing tyres, scratching paintwork and smashing windows.

Public property was also a target, as some incidents involved stealing or defacing traffic cones, tampering with road signs and graffiti The report revealed that the main reasons for this anti-social behaviour are alcohol and ‘boredom’.

According to the report, over 1.5 million women have admitted to deliberate damage of a motor vehicle. Most of the females questioned said that they damaged the vehicles on the ‘spur of the moment’ and 12% said that they were pressured into committing the offences by their peers.

Direct Line has become the first UK car insurer to let its customers keep their no-claims bonus in the event of them having to claim because of an act of vandalism.

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