Almost 90 reports of vehicle crime were recorded in the Walsgrave Triangle and Cross Point retail park area last year, with the number set to rise further.
The offence far outstripped any other type of incident in the busy retail and commercial district, according to the latest available figures.
A total of 84 reported crimes were recorded in 2019 up to November, the most recent month for which statistics have been published.
In 2018, there were 86 such reports for the entire year, according to the police.uk website, where police force data is collated and mapped by the Home Office.
Coventry Police said on Friday they are working with local businesses to reduce vehicle crime, and reiterated crime prevention advice.
Black cab driver Jag Singh, who was parked up by a roundabout in the area near North View, is one of the victims of car crime. He said: “It is happening a lot, it is happening all over the place.
“I live in the area and I came out of my home to my taxi a couple of months ago to find the window had been broken and some change and other items had been taken.
“I know of a couple of other drivers whose taxis have been broken into as well.
“We just try to be as vigilant as we can and leave nothing in sight.”
Two men who work in the commercial district, who did not want to be named, had heard of problems in the area and the nearby residential streets.
One of the workers said: “We use a secure car park and haven’t experienced anything ourselves, but people have been along here taking wing mirrors and other car parts. It’s pretty bad.”
The man said that car parts cannibalised by thieves had been left dumped on the verges.
A pair of number plates were discarded on a grass verge near where the workers were walking.
Of the incidents, the vast majority were listed as having taken place in and around Gielgud Way.
In November 2019, there were 11 vehicle crimes recorded at the location, and 13 in North View.
The next biggest category was shoplifting, with two incidents across both places, according to the most recent figures published by the website.
Crime in Coventry and Warwickshire
Vehicle crime has previously caused concern in the Walsgrave Triangle and Cross Point. In 2009, the number of incidents was cut by 20 per cent with help of additional security from Coventry’s Business Improvement District (BID) team
Mobile security patrols from BID were briefed to look out for possible offenders and the initiative was credited with the drop in vehicle crime. However, the triangle has not been in the BID area since 2012 and a spokeswoman for the team said this week that security is now a matter for the police.
The area is home to a Showcase Cinema, Tenpin bowling alley, Brewers Fayre, DoubleTree by Hilton Coventry and offices for numerous companies including Coventry Building Society and Daimler.
The Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is part of a drive to cut down car crime and shut 'chop shops' across the West Midlands.
He has identified the issue as a key strategic priority and the region's police force has made hundreds of arrests over the past three years.
Sgt Katy Callender, from Coventry Police, said: “Regular patrols are conducted by the local neighbourhood team and there is quite a bit of work being done in the area with local businesses to tackle vehicle crime, such as reinvigorating a Hotel Watch Scheme.
“Many of these offences are committed by opportunists from vehicles that have been left insecure or with valuable items on display so we would urge motorists to always lock doors and remove any valuables, bags and coats from view.”
For more advice visit https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/theft-motor-vehicle
Anyone with information about crime in the area can call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
