Entry from OED Online

twoc, n.

DRAFT ENTRY June 2003

Brit. slang (orig. Police).

[Acronym < the initial letters of taking without owner's consent.]

The offence of taking a car without the owner's consent, esp. for the purpose of joy-riding; (an instance of) car theft. Cf. *TDA s.v. T.
The original implication of the acronym is that the offence centres on cars stolen for joyriding, then subsequently abandoned. However, the term often encompasses outright theft.

1990 Oxf. Times 27 July 15/2 Twoc

to rhyme with ‘clock’

is police shorthand for the offence of taking and driving away a vehicle without its owner's consent... From the victim's point of view, ‘only a twoc’ has a very hollow ring to it. 1992 Police Rev. 17 Jan. 130/1 This rather peculiar Bill..deals with the basic TWOC offence where the vehicle was driven dangerously or was damaged or was driven in a way which led to personal injury or damage to property. 1994 Daily Tel. 2 Dec. 15/1 Detectives found the business card in a suspect's wallet... It read: ‘Smash and grabs, shop windows, drums, TWOC and arson

anything done.’ 2002 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) (Electronic ed.) 19 Mar., Other charges have also been made for car crime including theft and TWOC.