The problem of thefts of and from cars
On residential streets and driveways
This guide describes the problem of theft of and from cars in residential neighbourhoods and reviews factors that increase its risks. It identifies a series of questions to help you analyze your local problem. It also reviews possible responses to the problem and what is known about these from evaluative research and police practice. The scope of the report is limited to thefts and residentially parked cars. It does not cover other crime types or other locations.
Title: The problem of thefts of and from cars on residential streets and driveways
Authors: Todd Keister (US Dept of Justice)
Series: COPS Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series No. 46
Date published: February 2007
Number of pages: 65
Availability: Download full report 
PDF 700Kb
Theft from parked cars is one of the most common complaints received by police in residential neighbourhoods. In the United Kingdom, a nationwide survey found that only 47% of all car crime was reported to the police. In contrast, nearly all thefts of cars are reported to the authorities, because of the significant monetary loss and insurance company reporting requirements.
Thefts from vehicles usually involve small values in terms of the property stolen, but they take up considerable police resources and increase residents’ fear of crime. These thefts excepted, crime rates in suburban residential neighbourhoods are otherwise low. However, recurring thefts from cars in a residential community can erode residents’ feelings of safety and security, as well as their confidence in police and other authorities.
While generally a more significant problem in metropolitan areas, thefts of cars also pose a significant crime problem in many suburban jurisdictions. Cars are generally stolen for one of three purposes:
- for temporary transportation, such as use in another crime or for “joyriding”
- to strip the car of its valuable parts for resale
- to re-sell it, often disguised as a legitimate car
The vast majority of car thefts are committed for transportation or “joyriding.”
Stolen cars generate higher insurance costs, inconvenience, and financial losses for car owners as well as the risks to the safety of police officers and other motorists from stolen vehicle pursuits.
Factors Contributing to Thefts of and from Cars on Residential Streets and Driveways
Understanding the factors that contribute to your problem will help you frame your own local analysis questions, determine proper effectiveness measures, recognize key intervention points, and select appropriate responses. Where and when cars are parked are probably the most significant factors that offer opportunity to thieves.
Location
- At single-family residences. Because suburban residential areas are relatively safe and quiet, residents can become complacent about car security. They may leave their car doors unlocked or the keys in the ignition. Often their homes' exterior lighting is wholly inadequate. Overly tall shrubbery and other brush on the premises can provide thieves with cover. An entire neighbourhood filled with unlocked cars and poorly lit homes, with plenty of cover, is an inviting scene for a thief.
- On the street. National Crime Survey data indicates that most car thefts (37%) occur on the street outside the victim's home. A study conducted in the UK revealed that a car parked on the street is much more likely to be targeted by criminals than a car parked in a driveway, as can be seen below. Hampshire (United Kingdom) police discovered that nearly one-half of all car crimes in Portsmouth occurred on only about 10% of the city's streets and that the pattern was even further concentrated within those streets.
Risk of thefts by parking location in England & Wales (1982-1994)
Location | Thefts per 100,000 |
Home garage | 2 |
Home carport / drive | 40 |
Home street | 117 |
Cars in residential locations that are adjacent to lower-tier socioeconomic neighbourhoods (which often have higher crime rates) are generally more vulnerable. Thieves who reside in the high-crime neighbourhoods need only walk a few blocks to search for items or cars to steal. They have the advantage of being familiar with the area.
Residential subdivisions.
Residential subdivisions surrounded by rural lands and not served by public transportation are less likely to suffer from chronic car crime. Thieves would have to travel to the location, and then walk around in unfamiliar neighbourhoods where they are more likely to appear out of place and attract suspicion. Also, these areas often have no sidewalks, so pedestrian traffic in general draws attention.
Time
Thefts of and from cars in suburban residential areas generally occur at night. This is because it is the time most cars are present in these areas, as well as the fact that darkness provides cover for the thieves. In residential areas that contain multi-family apartment complexes, parking lots can be vulnerable to thefts during the day because there are many people using the lots, thus providing anonymity to the offender. Some special events that draw large numbers of vehicles to an area also generate high volumes of thefts from cars.
Type of Car
Data on the most frequently stolen new cars and parts are compiled by the Highway Loss Data Institute (www.iihs.org ) and the Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org ) and are published annually online. Data on the theft of older model cars are reported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) (www.nicb.org ). In general, older models of cars are more often stolen than more recent models because fewer of them contain in-built anti-theft devices, and thieves learn that particular models of cars are easier to steal than others. However, newer models may be targeted for theft if they contain expensive components in great demand (on the next page).
Items Targeted for Theft
Frequently, thefts from cars will occur in clusters. Numerous offences may be reported during the early morning hours when one or more thieves have passed through a neighbourhood looking for property to steal. In general, two kinds of property are stolen: personal items and car components. Personal items that owners may leave in their cars include loose change, laptop computers, portable music players, and wallets or pocket books. The United Kingdom Home Office reported that personal valuables inside the passenger compartment accounted for 35% of items stolen, while stereo components made up 27% of the stolen items. Compact discs as well as car stereo parts and accessories can easily be traded for cash at second-hand music stores or pawnshops. These items can also be difficult to trace, as few owners take the time to record the serial numbers of after-market stereo components. Targeted car components change as the different features become highly valued. For a time stereo equipment was targeted, but now air bags and expensive parts such as high-intensity discharge or xenon headlamps are prized. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports more than 75,000 thefts of airbags annually. Many of the techniques associated with stealing cars for parts or resale differ from thefts of personal items from cars.
Targetting your local problem
The full report includes a problem-solving approach that you will be able to use to tackle your local car theft problem. It includes:
- Stakeholders
- For Driveways
- For Streets
- For Both Locations
- Gathering Intelligence
- Asking the Right Questions
- Incidents
- Offenders
- Victims
- Thefts of Cars
- Thefts from Cars
- Locations/Times
- Conditions Facilitating Theft
- Current Responses to the Problem
- Measuring Your Effectiveness
- Responses to the Problem of Thefts of and from Cars on Residential Streets and Driveways
- General Considerations for an Effective Response Strategy
- Specific Responses to Reduce Thefts of and from Cars on Residential Streets and Driveways
- Security
- Education
- Enforcement
- Responses with Limited Effectiveness
Getting a copy
Download The problem of thefts of and from cars on residential streets and driveways PDF 700Kb
Last update: Monday, April 23, 2007