Fresh data ranks Cumbria among the five safest areas in the UK to leave your car unattended during May bank holiday weekends.

The research, conducted by Howden Insurance, analysed car crimes in each county over the past year, utilising government data.

The findings were scaled per 1,000 registered vehicles to determine the safest and least secure areas for vehicle security.

Cumbria held the fourth spot, reporting 0.84 thefts per 1,000 vehicles.

Gwent in Wales topped the rankings with just 0.66 thefts per 1,000 registered vehicles, a figure impressively below the national average of 1.94.

Suffolk and North Yorkshire trailed closely behind, with 0.71 and 0.83 car crimes per 1,000 vehicles, respectively.

Hertfordshire came next with 0.86.

West Yorkshire landed the least secure spot with 5.35 crimes per 1,000 registered vehicles, a staggering 176 per cent above the national average.

Additionally, the study conducted a deep dive into the most proactive counties concerning vehicle security.

The West Midlands topped this list with 1,893 searches per 100k residents for popular security devices.

In light of these findings, an insurance expert from Howden Insurance stressed the necessity for vehicle security, particularly during bank holidays.

The expert said: "With two bank holiday weekends this month, crucial that car owners consider the security of their vehicles when going away.

"Whether owners leave cars unattended at their homes or use them to travel to their holiday destination, valuables must never be left inside.

"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."