Vehicle Crime
Mechanical Immobilisers
Background
Vehicle theft has fallen considerably over the last decade. British Crime Survey data show that it has fallen by 58 per cent since 1995. The decline, however, has not been uniform in all cars. Theft rates in older models (12 years or more) have increased in recent years.
One of the reasons for the overall drop in vehicle theft is believed to be improvements in new car security. A European Anti-Theft Directive (95/56/EC) was introduced from October 1998 that made electronic immobilisers compulsory at the point of manufacture on all new cars produced in Europe. Electronic immobilisers operate by preventing the car from starting. They disable the car's electrical system and engine and are activated automatically after the engine is switched off and the ignition key is removed. It is widely believed that these vehicles are more resistant to theft and, to date, criminals have been unable to overcome the devices. Instead, some crime has been displaced as thieves increasingly turn to older cars which are less secure and easier to steal. The displacement has been most evident in the small cars market (minis/superminis and small saloons as defined by the Car Theft Index). In 1997, a 13-year-old mini/supermini had a theft rate of 21 per 1,000. A car of the same age in 2003 had the higher theft rate of 36 per 1,000 (Car Theft Indexes).
Changing behaviour to prevent crime: an incentives-based approach
As part of a wider project, Changing behaviour to prevent crime: an incentives-based approach (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/changing_behaviour.html), the Economics and Resource Analysis Unit in the Home Office conducted a full economic appraisal to provide a cost-benefit analysis of the different options identified for reducing theft of target cars. Target cars are those highly vulnerable to theft - minis/superminis and small saloons least likely to be fitted with an Original Equipment Manufacturer's fit (OEM) electronic immobiliser. These are believed to be:
- all minis/superminis and small saloons registered in 1995 and before;
- a proportion of minis/superminis and small saloons registered in 1996; and
- a proportion of minis/superminis and small saloons registered in 1997.
All cars registered from 1998 onwards are assumed to have OEM electronic immobilisers. Please see the 'cars' worksheet for the full list of cars classified by the Car Theft Index as minis/superminis and small saloons.
The option with the highest net benefit was offering full subsidies for mechanical immobilisers in high crime areas. Mechanical immobilisers lock the steering wheel, gear levers or pedals in position. They are a good visual deterrent. The main disadvantage is that they do not arm automatically. Mechanical immobilisers should be Thatcham (www.thatcham.org) or Sold Secure approved (www.soldsecure.com). The costs of electronic immobilisers were simply too high resulting in a negative net benefit. For further details of the economic appraisal, see http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/notes/march06_summaries.html#rdsolr0506.
Last update: Friday, September 22, 2006