Motor Vehicle Theft in Canada, 1996

• NCJ Number: 172154
• Author(s): J Sauve
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Statistics Canada
• Sale Source: Statistics Canada
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: French; English
• Country: Canada
• Note: From "Juristat," January 1998.

Annotation

This report presents the extent of motor vehicle theft in Canada over the past decade (1977-1996), using police-reported data from the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

Abstract

Although most property crimes have been decreasing in recent years, motor vehicle theft has been climbing steadily since 1988. Over this period, the motor vehicle theft rate has almost doubled, including a 10-percent increase in 1996. Among a number of industrialized countries that participated in a recent international victimization survey, Canada ranked as one of the lowest in terms of the proportion of vehicle owners who experienced a motor vehicle theft in 1995 (18 out of every 1,000). British Columbia reported the highest rate of motor vehicle theft in 1996, followed closely by Manitoba. Since 1992 the rate of motor vehicles stolen in Manitoba has almost tripled. Newfoundland reported the lowest rate, and Prince Edward Island was the only Province to show a decrease in vehicle theft in 1996. Two of the nine largest metropolitan areas, Vancouver and Winnipeg reported the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in 1996. Quebec City reported the lowest rate, one-third that of Vancouver. Although cars accounted for almost two-thirds of all stolen vehicles in 1996, the fastest-growing types of vehicles targeted by thieves have been minivans and sport-utility vehicles. In 1995-96 theft of motor vehicles and their components cost the insurance industry almost $600 million, an increase of $100 million from the previous year. Due to the nature of this offense, clearance rates by police tend to be lower than for other types of property crimes. In 1996 police identified an accused person in only 12 percent of vehicle thefts, and one- quarter of all stolen vehicles were never recovered. Youths aged 12 to 17 accounted for 43 percent of persons charged with motor vehicle theft in 1996. The vast majority of persons charged were male; females charged were more likely to be youths (6 in 10 for females vs. 4 in 10 for males). 5 figures, 5 tables, and a 15-item bibliography