The Richmond Police Department is offering free steering wheel locks to city residents who drive Honda vehicles, following recent thefts in the city.

The department said it has seen 14 Honda thefts since July 1.

The past three years brought an increase in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles, which authorities said was driven by a technological issue within the car companies. Since then, the department has offered free steering wheel locks to drivers of those vehicles.

In 2023, 3,120 car thefts were reported in Richmond, Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield combined. That is an average of 8.5 vehicles per day. Richmond police reported 1,847 in the city that year, an increase from 1,208 the previous year.

Owners of Honda, Hyundai or Kia vehicles in Richmond can call their local precincts — the

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