Most cars are broken into outside people's homes

The research found "car muggings" - where thieves steal items such as stereos, mobile phones, cash and credit cards - have risen by 20% in the last year.

The worst town for smash-and-grab car raids was Blackburn, in Lancashire, which has taken over at the top from Slough, in Berkshire.

The survey said there were about 300 car crimes every hour in the UK.

People were also four times more likely to suffer thefts from cars as be mugged in the street.

CAR CRIME STUDY Just half of all motorists have an alarm system Four in five victims report incidents to the police but only 10% expect anyone to be charged Nine out of 10 motorists do not believe the government is doing enough to fight car crime and four fifths say the police need more resources

Nigel Doggett, managing director of Autoglass which carried out the study, said: "This trend has emerged at a time when motorists appear to be taking their eye off car security.

"They say they've lost faith that we can prevent, punish or prosecute car crooks but their lack of concern coincides with rising numbers of attacks."

He added: "Crooks are making more money than ever by preying on the UK's motorists and it's easy to blame the authorities or let defeatism set in but the fact is too many motorists are still not taking basic steps to protect themselves.

"If they are to avoid becoming the next smash and grab target, car owners must take action."

The survey said victims typically lost �329 as a result of the crimes.