NCJ Number
65996
Date Published
1962
Length
38 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE PRESENTED OF A QUESTIONNAIRE ON MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SENT TO 43 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES BY INTERPOL; AND A RESOLUTION OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEFT PREVENTION.
Abstract
ALL COUNTRIES CONSIDERED MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AS APPROPRIATING A VEHICLE TO KEEP OR SELL IT, AND MOST DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN THEFT AND UNAUTHORIZED USE. TABLES OF CAR THEFT STATISTICS REVEALED WHAT TIME OF DAY THEFTS PEAKED, WHAT TYPES OF CARS WERE STOLEN, AND THE NUMBERS STOLEN ANNUALLY. MOST CAR THEFTS OCCURRED IN LARGE TOWNS OR CITIES AT THE BEGINNING OF A WARM SEASON. PROFESSIONAL THIEVES TENDED TO STEAL CARS COMMON IN THEIR COUNTRIES SINCE THEY WERE EASIER TO SELL, WHILE AMATEURS AND BORROWERS TOOK FLASHY, POWERFUL MODELS. THE WAYS IN WHICH CAR OWNERS AND MANUFACTURERS CONTRIBUTE TO CAR THEFT, PRECAUTIONS THEY CAN TAKE, AND ANTI-THEFT DEVICES AND SAFETY MEASURES, ARE DISCUSSED, AND A LIST IS PROVIDED OF AUTOMOBILE DEFECTS USEFUL TO THIEVES. CAMPAIGNS AGAINST CAR THEFT, SPECIAL POLICE TRAINING, AND ANTI-THEFT ADVICE TO MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES ARE DESCRIBED. LAWS TO DETER CAR THEFT INCLUDE ESTABLISHING CENTRAL, NATIONAL OFFICES TO OVERSEE CAR BUYING AND SELLING, PROVIDING CARS AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES WITH COMPULSORY IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS AND DOCUMENTS, AND REQUIRING VARIOUS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES OF DRIVERS AND MANUFACTURERS. IN ADDITION, CAR THEFT SHOULD BE MADE A MORE SERIOUS CRIME, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO PREVENT CAR THEFT SHOULD BE INCREASED, AND NATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO FINE OWNERS WHO PARK OR LEAVE THEIR CARS IN A CARELESS MANNER. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)