Car thefts nearing document ranges – report

Car thefts within the US are on the rise and nearing document ranges, a brand new report from the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau (NICB) has proven.

Evaluation by the group discovered that almost 500,000 autos had been reported stolen within the nation throughout the first half of the 12 months, up 2% from the identical interval in 2022.

Illinois skilled probably the most substantial improve amongst any state, with automobile thefts rising by 38%. New York got here in second with a 20% improve, adopted by Ohio with a 15% hike.

Car thefts additionally elevated in Texas (9%), Georgia (9%), and Missouri (3%), in keeping with the report.  

And whereas the variety of instances decreased in Florida (-1%), California (-2%), Washington (-12%) and Colorado (-19%), they had been nonetheless among the many checklist of 10 states with the best price of thefts.

“Car thefts elevated to near-record highs in the US final 12 months, and sadly, present traits point out whole thefts this 12 months might surpass 2022,” stated NICB president and CEO David J. Glawe in a information launch.  “With little deterrent to cease these prison actors, regulation enforcement companies and communities will proceed to undergo.”

NICB’s report moreover revealed that automobile thefts averaged greater than 80,000 instances between January and July 2023. The height occurred in Might, with 87,993 autos reported stolen to regulation enforcement.

Commenting on these findings, Glawe urged people to take proactive measures to safeguard their autos.

“The excellent news is there are a number of proactive and commonsense steps shoppers can take to assist deter automobile theft, together with a very powerful, which is to by no means depart your keys or key fob within the automotive,” he stated. “At all times lock the doorways and roll up your home windows and by no means depart valuables in plain sight; as a substitute place them in your trunk or out of sight.”

The NICB report relies on information from the Nationwide Crime Data Heart (NCIC). Its launch coincides with Nationwide Crime Prevention Month.

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