Are iphone unlikely to get stolen now?

I mean if it were to be put on lost more it becomes useless and the only solution is to put your id which I doubt they will know

No, actually a stolen iPhone is like any other device, if the device was reported stolen then it may not be able to be activated. Let's say that an iPhone 5 was stolen and it was mint condition and it is stuck at "Activation Lock", it's display can be sold, logic board, speakers, charging dock, and even the head phone jack. Also, some hackers have managed to get system R/W on the device and they can actually bypass the "Activation Lock". Sadly, the era of a stolen device still will exist.

I don't think that's right, we're getting reports of stolen iPhones everyday.

For now there isn't any method to bypass the apple id and psw lock, but do not think a thief will just return your locked iPhone because he can't use it. Can sell it for parts and also seen a lot of ebay auctions for apple id locked iPhones, even if price is lower. So even if the lock may protect your sensible data not being used by the thief, do not think will make any thief think twice if to steal the iPhone considering it might be locked.