As Easter half-term nears, Cumbria has been revealed as one of the safest counties for unattended cars, according to fresh research.

Insurance experts looked at the volume of car crimes in each county over the past year, using GOV.co.uk data.

They then calculated these figures per 1,000 registered vehicles, identifying the UK counties offering the greatest safety for car owners.

Top of the rankings by Howden Insurance was Gwent in Wales, reporting a mere 0.66 thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles – a hefty 66 per cent below the national average of 1.94.

Closely following was Suffolk, scoring second place with 0.71 car crimes per 1,000 registered vehicles.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire, a popular destination for hikers, ranked third with 0.83 car thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles – 57 per cent below the national average.

Cumbria and Hertfordshire held fourth and fifth places respectively, recording 0.84 and 0.86 car thefts per 1,000 licensed vehicles.

In Cumbria, a total of 492 car thefts occurred among its 588,000 registered vehicles.

The worst performer was West Yorkshire, a county that clocks up a whopping 5.35 crimes per 1,000 registered vehicles, 176 per cent above the national average.

The study not only identified safer areas for unattended cars, but also looked at Google searches for vehicle security devices.

Nationally, dash cams, security cameras, CCTV, steering wheel locks, and security lights topped the list of popular security aids.

A representative from Howden Insurance said: "With Easter half term approaching it’s crucial that car owners consider the security of their vehicles when going away.

“The popularity of dashcams is interesting; with the constant rise in licenced drivers on the roads, it’s encouraging to see drivers document their journeys for safety and insurance purposes.

"Make sure that you’re also parking in a secure location if leaving your car unattended for an extended period – especially if you’re situated in a country where car crime is prevalent.”