NCJ Number
140393
Date Published
1992
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This review of the research literature on auto theft addresses the extent and nature of auto theft and policy options for its prevention.
Abstract
Eleven percent of all Uniform Crime Report index crimes in 1989 and 12 percent of crimes reported in the Victim Risk supplement to the National Crime Survey consisted of thefts of and from vehicles. Auto theft is proportionately even more of a problem in some other developed countries, particularly when theft rates are calculated per vehicles registered. Marked urban/rural and intercity variations are only partly explained by variations in overall levels of crime or in the availability of vehicles. Many thefts involve cars parked in the street at night, and automobile models vary greatly in their vulnerability to theft. Auto theft has not increased more than other important property crimes in the United States during the last 30 years, but may have come increasingly under the domain of more adult, organized offenders. Even so, thefts for temporary use and joyriding outnumber professional thefts by at least two to one. In turn, these forms of auto theft are outnumbered by thefts from vehicles (including components) by about five to one. The most promising preventive approach is through the manufacture of more secure vehicles. Improved documentation of ownership and environmental modifications at parking lots might also help prevent auto thefts. 3 tables, 4 figures, and 123 references (Author abstract modified)