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News
More young cars stolen in 2010 in the Netherlands
7.2.2011
| In 2010 for the first time in more than 10 years the number of car thefts has increased. Also mopeds were more often stolen than in previous years. Trucks and motorcycles on the other hand were stolen less. According to the Foundation for Tackling Vehicle Crime significant gains can be achieved by installing certified security systems in cars and by installation of additional locks, such as on the steering wheel or the gearshift. As for mopeds, besides a padlock they should be further anchored to a fixed object.
Enormous increase in theft of passenger cars.
In 2010, 11,733 passenger cars were stolen. That is 706 more than in 2009, an increase of 6.4%. There were 400 more "young" cars stolen from 0 to 3 years old and 327 more from 4 to 7 years old. The increase in the number of younger car thefts has been going on since 2008. Although the younger cars are equipped with electronic security, they are increasingly cracked by criminal gangs. The keys of many models can be copied and immobilizers are electronically disconnected. Keys are often stolen by breaking into the house.
Popular brands
Over the whole Dutch fleet there is a 0.14% average chance that a car is stolen. The theft risk is very different for each brand and type. Especially younger cars which are in great demand on the secondhand market at home and abroad, are stolen. Of this category less than 40% is recovered. Depending on make and model, the recovery percentage of stolen older cars, is between 50% and 75%. For owners of an old Ford Escort the theft risk is six times higher than average. Of these, almost 90% are recovered. The risk of theft from the Mercedes E-Class, Seat Leon and Volkswagen Golf is about four times higher than average. Of these types, up to 35% is recovered. The young cars of the types Audi A6 and A3, the Volkswagen Touran, BMW 5 and Mercedes C-Class are twice as much stolen than the national average.
Other categories
In 2010, the number of stolen mopeds increased by almost 13% to 14,984. The risk that a moped is stolen, is 10 times higher than a car: of 1,000 mopeds 14 are stolen. The number of 2,328 stolen vans remained about the same. The theft of trucks decreased by 8% to 239. Also the number of thefts of motorcycles decreased. In 2010 1,867 were stolen, which is a 12% drop compared to 2009. Interestingly, the decrease was caused by fewer thefts of motorcycles of 0 and 1 year old.
Precautions
The Foundation for Tackling Vehicle Crime (AVc) recommends that owners of cars, which are often stolen, to take measures to better protect their cars. The installation of a certified alarm system or a vehicle tracking system gives good results, but also extra locks on the steering wheel and gearshift make it harder for the thieves. Good protection against housebreaking prevents thieves from stealing the car keys.
Together with insurers and the security industry AVc works on possibilities to make theft of mopeds less attractive. Moped owners can greatly reduce risk of theft themselves by always parking with a double lock. Do not just use the lock of the moped, but always fasten the vehicle with an approved lock to a fixed object.
Source of figures: RDW
For more information: Foundation for Tackling Vehicle Crime
E-mail: secretariaat@stavc.nl
The annual statistic 2010 is on the website: www.stavc.nl
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