Motor vehicle theft

An average of about 470 motor vehicles were stolen each day in Canada in 2001. Police reported just over 170,000 stolen vehicles in 2001, about 10,000 more than in 2000. The national vehicle theft rate jumped 5% in 2001, halting four years of decline.

With the exception of a drop from 1996 to 2000, the rate of vehicle theft in Canada has been increasing annually since the mid-1980s. Vehicle thefts have not followed the general decline seen in other property crimes during the 1990s.

The national increase in vehicle thefts has been driven by sharp increases in specific areas of the country. Over the past decade, vehicle theft rates have doubled in London and Hamilton, tripled in Regina and more than quadrupled in Winnipeg. This has resulted in a large increase in rates in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in particular. From 2000 to 2001, large increases were reported in Victoria (+55%) and Edmonton (+39%).

In 2001, Manitoba's rate (1,148 vehicle thefts per 100,000 population) was more than twice the national average and highest among the provinces for the fifth year in a row. Manitoba was followed by British Columbia (812) and Saskatchewan (786). The lowest rates were reported in the Atlantic provinces.

Among the 25 largest metropolitan areas, the highest rates of vehicle theft were reported in Regina (1,996 thefts per 100,000 population), Winnipeg (1,581) and Vancouver (1,149). The lowest rates were reported in St. John's (183), Saint John (199) and Québec (290).

Canada ranked fifth highest of 17 countries for car thefts in the 1999 International Crime Victimization Survey, with 1.6% of the population reporting that they had been a victim of car theft during the previous 12 months. Police-reported data show that Canada's vehicle theft rate has been higher than the U.S. rate since 1996. In 2000, Canada's rate was 26% higher than the comparable American rate.

About one-quarter of vehicle thefts linked to organized crime

According to police, vehicles are primarily stolen for "joy-riding," transporting criminals to and from the commission of a crime, or as organized criminal theft to be resold as a whole or dismantled and sold as parts. About one-quarter of all vehicles stolen are never recovered, an indication that these thefts may be connected to organized theft rings.

Over the past six years, about one in every eight vehicle theft incidents (12.5%) were cleared by police through the identification of an accused person. This clearance rate is about half of what it used to be during the 1980s, when police solved about one in every four vehicle thefts. In 2001, clearance rates ranged from 6% in British Columbia to 29% in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that vehicle theft costs Canadians about $1 billion each year. This includes $600 million in insurance premiums and $400 million in health care, police, court and corrections costs.

Sport-utility vehicles and vans becoming more popular for thieves

During the past 10 years, thieves have switched their preference from cars to trucks, largely the result of the growing popularity of vans and sport-utility vehicles. Although cars still account for 6 out of every 10 vehicles stolen, the theft of trucks has increased 59% since 1991, compared with a 3% increase in car thefts.

About 4 in 10 vehicle thefts occur in parking lots, the most common location. An additional 30% occurred on the street and 16% from homes, including driveways and garages. Although the precise time of the theft is rarely known, more vehicle thefts (38%) occurred between 6 am and noon than in any other 6-hour period during the day.

Youths account for 42% of vehicle thefts

Four in 10 persons charged with vehicle theft in 2001 were youths aged 12 to17, with 16 representing the most common age. The rate of youths charged increased for the second consecutive year in 2001, following a general decline since 1991.

Almost 9 in 10 vehicle thefts are committed by males. However, the proportion of females charged with this offence has increased from 7% in 1991 to 12% in 2001.

Anti-theft devices becoming more popular on new models

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, nearly half of all new motor vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with anti-theft systems. However, most Canadians currently do not have anti-theft devices in their vehicle. Of those who do, 36% have car alarms, 26% have "kill" switches to cut off vehicle systems such as the fuel pump and ignition, and 21% have some form of steering wheel lock.

The publication Juristat: Motor Vehicle Theft in Canada - 2001, Vol. 23, no. 1 (85-002-XIE, $8/$70; 85-002-XPE, $10/$93) is now available. See How to order products.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (1-800-387-2231; 613-951-9023), Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.