One stolen every four minutes - inside the police battle against vehicle thieves

Figure caption, Watch: BBC joins police on front line against car theft

It is 01:00 on a Thursday and we are in the back of an unmarked police car on the hunt for vehicle thieves in east London.

A call comes in over the radio about a stolen Ford Transit van. Within 25 minutes officers have found it, chased it down and arrested a suspect.

Officers tell us the night has been successful, with further arrests made, yet across the UK a car is stolen every four minutes.

Despite a recent drop, vehicle thefts are up almost 50% in England and Wales compared with a decade ago, according to Home Office data. Last year, just 3% of vehicle theft offences resulted in a charge or summons.

As well as spending time on the front line in London and Sussex, we have privately spoken to 20 police officers from six forces.