16 Mar 2022
Cars are an expensive commodity and popular amongst thieves. Below, LotGuard's security experts highlight some of the most shocking car crime statistics.
1. $7.4 billion was lost to vehicle theft in 2020: This eye-watering figure applies to all vehicular theft, including cars, motorbikes, trucks, buses, and scooters.
2. The average loss per theft was $9,166: Loss per theft differs significantly from state to state, and depends on the average value of vehicles and the new to used car ratio.
3. 810,400 vehicles were stolen in 2020: The total number of vehicles stolen in 2020 was the highest since 2008, a disturbing upwards trend that experts believe coincides with increasing sophistication in theft tactics such as smart keys, which eliminated hot-wiring to steal cars; switching vehicle identification numbers and using stolen identities to secure loans for expensive vehicles
4. Vehicle theft rose 11.8% between 2019 and 2020: Experts suggest that the recent spike in car crime is due to conditions caused by the global pandemic, economic downturn, and lack of juvenile outreach programs. Figures will continue to climb as a worldwide shortage of components takes hold. New cars will be difficult to acquire and inflate the price and demand for used vehicles.
5. Most vehicle theft occurs on New Year's Day: Holidays are the most popular time for thieves to strike, with New Year's Day closely followed by Labor Day, Presidents' Day, and New Year's Eve.
6. 209 cars are stolen every day due to keys or fobs left in the vehicle: Most vehicle theft resulting from keys or fobs left in the vehicle occurs during the winter months when the owner leaves the car running to defrost the windows.
7. Catalytic convertor theft grew by 1012% between 2018-2020: As the price of component metals continues to soar, the market for catalytic convertor theft continues to soar, with thieves able to rip off 100s of the devices in a matter of minutes.
8. Almost 50 catalytic converters were stolen every day in 2021: The upwards trend of catalytic convertor theft continued in 2021, reaching 18,000 - almost 50 a day - as a CBS report noted that the platinum, rhodium, and palladium components of catalytic converters could sell for between $1,000 and $11,000 per ounce.
11. The city with the highest vehicle theft rate is Bakersfield, CA: With 726 vehicle thefts per 100,000 citizens, Bakersfield PD is registering 100-120 vehicle thefts every week.
12. Vermont has the fewest vehicle thefts: Vermont, Maine, Wyoming, and New Hampshire have the lowest vehicle theft per 100,000.
13. The most stolen car is a Ford Pickup: With 44,014 in 2020, the Ford Pickup was the most popular vehicle amongst thieves. The Chevrolet Pickup, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Nissan Camray are all in the top five most stolen cars, too.
14. Hondas are the most commonly stolen motorcycles: 8,122 Honda motorcycles were stolen in 2020, making it the most popular brand with thieves. Yamaha, Harley, Suzuki, and Kawasaki all feature in the top 5.
15. The state with the highest rate of motorcycle thefts is California: With nearly 7,000 thefts in 2020, California leads the way in motorcycle theft.
16. The city with the highest rate of motorcycle thefts is New York, NY: New York has almost twice the amount of motorcycle thefts as the next highest city, San Diego, CA, with nearly 1,200 thefts in 2020.
17. Newer cars can be broken into in less than 10 seconds: Thieves no longer have to overcome physical obstacles to gain entry, start, and drive away a car. Keyless entry and push-button start are making the process of stealing a vehicle quicker than ever.
18. Only 20% of vehicles are recovered unharmed: Although Statista reported in 2018 that 59% of cars are recovered if stolen locally, the story behind that number is less optimistic. Roughly a third are returned with $1000s worth of damage, and another third are recovered entirely beyond repair.
19. The most common motivation for car theft is joyriding: Cars are generally stolen for one of three purposes: temporary transportation, such as use in another crime or joyriding, to strip the car of its valuable parts for resale, or to resell it disguised as a legitimate car.
20. 30% of stolen vehicles are used in other crimes: This figure includes cars stripped for parts in 'chop-shops' and resold.
Prevent Car Theft with LotGuard
Wireless CCTV Limited
Website
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T: 01706 631166
Charles Babbage House
Kingsway Business Park
OL16 4NW
Rochdale, Lancashire
United Kingdom
Wireless CCTV Limited will be exhibiting on Stand IF3425 at IFSEC International 2022, 16 - 18 May 2023, ExCeL, London, UK
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