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The vogue for increasingly expensive baby buggies has sparked a new crime wave, according to Halifax Home Insurance.

Thefts of baby strollers have almost doubled in the past year, which the lender claims is fuelling a black market worth around £60 million

Sales of buggies costing over £500 having increased by 40% over the past 12 months and Halifax points out high re-sale values make these items a prime target for opportunist thieves.

The research also suggests that criminals are stealing specific models, with the Bugaboo Bee Plus (worth £459), Silver Cross 3D (£250), Quinny Zapp (£150) and the Maclaren Techno XT (£196) among the most sought after models.

Most thefts appear to be taking place from inside the home (22%) or just outside (11%), while car parks, cafés and restaurants are other buggy-theft hotspots.

Meanwhile buggie-price inflation is forcing almost a quarter of parents to buy second-hand, mainly from online auction sites, or from friends and family.

Halifax Home Insurance head of underwriting, David Rochester, comments: “It may seem surprising that thieves would stoop so low, yet it appears the increasing value of baby buggies has caused parents to become a target for thieves.”

He adds: “We recommend all new parents make sure buggies are safely secured when stored in the home, and not left visible in porches or driveways where they can be easily stolen as they are on wheels, enabling a quick getaway.”

Despite the high value of buggies, almost a fifth of parents questioned were unaware whether their pushchairs are covered under their insurance policy if stolen from inside the home, while a fifth didn’t know if they’re covered if the pushchair is stored outside.

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Tags: Baby Buggie, Crime Wave, Wave