The recent economic downturn appears to be an increasing factor behind vehicle theft, including motorcycles, according to a survey of law enforcement professionals conducted by LoJack Corporation and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), two leading authorities on vehicle theft protection.

The Convenience Sample survey was conducted as part of LoJack and NICB’s second annual vehicle theft protection education initiative, which includes designating July (one of the highest vehicle theft months of the year) “National Vehicle Theft Protection Month.”

According to the survey, nearly 70 percent of law enforcement professionals who responded indicated that today’s challenging economy appears to be an increasing dynamic contributing to vehicle theft. Those who said they were witnessing a rise in stolen vehicle activity as a result of the economy cited fraud (including identity theft, smart key duplication, demolition, insurance fraud), the theft of specific makes and models—especially SUVs, and theft for scrap metal as underlying reasons. A full 76 percent of respondents indicated that chop shops, which are run by professional thieves, were a key factor in driving vehicle theft overall.

Also of note, a majority of the law enforcement professionals (59 percent) surveyed believe consumers do not take the right precautions to keep their vehicles safe from theft. Below are the top four mistakes consumers make that leave their vehicles vulnerable to theft, according to the survey:

• Leave valuables inside the car in plain view
• Leave the vehicle running unattended
• Leave the windows down or vehicle doors unlocked when parked
• Leave keys inside the vehicle or on the vehicle

“As this survey points out, law enforcement considers today’s challenging economy an increasing problem in vehicle theft and that consumers need to learn to keep their vehicles safe from today’s professional thieves,” said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law
Enforcement, LoJack Corporation.

“As vehicle theft heats up in July and August -- with summer drive vacations on the calendars of millions of Americans -- consumers need to be particularly vigilant about keeping their vehicles safe. That is why we are kicking off our education effort now. We want to remind drivers to make sure they hide their luggage, GPS navigation systems and other valuable items; to not leave the car running unattended to cool down; and to never leave a spare key in or on the vehicle. Those are just a few of the many informative tips we are highlighting as part of this education program.”

“When vehicle owners are armed with the knowledge of how to protect their vehicles and the valuables inside, they make it much more difficult for professional thieves—who are responsible for most vehicle theft— to steal their car or its contents,” said Robert Bryant, President and Chief Executive Officer, NICB. “That’s why we believe this education initiative is so important. We want consumers to understand that for professional thieves, vehicle theft is a high reward—and at times low risk—crime. But, it’s the vehicle owners who pay the price.”

LoJack/NICB Vehicle Theft Protection Program Now in its second year, LoJack and NICB's Vehicle Theft Protection Program is an
education initiative designed to help owners of cars, motorcycles, construction equipment and commercial vehicles better understand how to protect their assets from theft. As part of this effort, the two organizations designated July, one of the highest vehicle theft months of the year, “National Vehicle Theft Protection Month.” The program also includes informative surveys, seminars, and educational information, such as a booklet entitled "Get in the Know," which details the steps owners can take to protect their vehicles from theft. To access the booklet and other information, visit LoJack’s Knowledge Center or NICB's website.