NCJ Number
150608
Date Published
1994
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistics on car theft in the Netherlands, as well as the extent of automobile theft in other Western European countries, notably Germany and Belgium.
Abstract
The report focuses on the extent, cost, and distribution of car theft, as well as victim, offender, and situation profiles. In 1992, there were an estimated 30,000 cars stolen in the Netherlands, 60 percent of which were recovered. Following a period of stabilization in the 1980's, the rate of car theft has increased since 1992. The risk of car theft is greatest in the Amsterdam-Amstelland police region, in cities with 100,000 residents or more, and in tourist areas. Within municipalities, most cars are stolen from public garages and in town centers. While more than half the cars stolen are the most common makes, the risk is highest for the more expensive models. Most Dutch car thieves are young males who steal on impulse; in Amsterdam, a considerable proportion of thieves are foreigners. Car theft prevention measures can be classified as offender-oriented (to deter impulsive thieves), situation-oriented (to make it more difficult to force open a car), and victim-oriented (to educate drivers to secure their cars).