2025 began with fewer boat thefts than last year. Above all, the number of thefts from boats fell sharply in Stockholm. The number of thefts in the region has more than halved during the spring compared to the same period last year when the region was hit by a sharp wave of thefts.
One can indeed be pleased that we have a sharp decrease in Stockholm, says Rino Carlsson.
Dramatic on the West Coast
In the beginning of the year, there was, on the other hand, a dramatic increase in boat engine thefts on the West Coast, but the wave of thefts has subsided and is in mid-May below last year's levels.
This only indicates that these individuals move around in different places and choose different things in Sweden. That's what we see in these sharp fluctuations, says Rino Carlsson and adds:
It's not about many people, but they are very frequent.
The police, on the other hand, warn that the theft networks are mobile and the situation can change quickly.
It actually changes very quickly depending on where they are.
How to protect
Usually, most thefts from boats occur at the end of the summer. Rino Carlsson says that thieves have adapted to when boats are less guarded.
If you take, for example, Stockholm, then it's year-round activity.
The police's tips for reducing the risk of boat thefts include, among other things, seeking out a local boat association. They also suggest marking the engine with hidden and visible markings. If you engrave your own marking, it's better with a personal identification number than a name.
One can say that if you have a modern engine and live in a metropolitan area, then there is a high risk, says Rino Carlsson.
