NCJ Number
207586
Date Published
January 2005
Length
50 pages
Annotation
In 1999, the British Home Office set the goal of reducing theft of and from vehicles by 30 percent over 5 years; this report examines progress in meeting this goal based on figures from the British Crime Survey of 2003-04.
Abstract
Actions to achieve this goal included the creation of a Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team composed of representatives from the vehicle industry, academia, police, and local and Federal officials. This team has provided oversight of the implementation of the national strategy. As part of the strategy to reduce thefts of and from vehicles, the Home Office has worked with the vehicle industry to improve vehicle security. The European Union requirement for all new cars to be fitted with an electronic immobilizer has made it more difficult for thieves to steal a car without keys. The British Crime Survey of 2003-04 showed that the number of thefts of and from vehicles (including attempts) has been reduced by 30 percent since 1999; however, only 13 percent of thefts of vehicles and 6 percent of theft from vehicles were resolved in 2003-04. the use of closed circuit television cameras at strategic spots, notably in parking lots, has reduced vehicle crime, although performance varies. Parking lot owners and operators have not been very cooperative in instituting security procedures. Although the Home Office has introduced measures to make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen vehicles or their parts, progress has been limited. The Home Office has also made progress in conducting a publicity campaign designed to increase actions by vehicle owners that will help prevent theft of and from their vehicles. Overall, preventive measures have proven more effective than responses after thefts have occurred in reducing the targeted offenses. 18 exhibits and appended supplementary information