Summary
In 2002, over 161,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada. The vehicle theft rate had increased steadily between 1984 and 1996, and has generally declined since, including a 5% drop in 2002. According to experts, vehicles stolen by organized groups are generally stolen for export overseas, inter-provincial resale or stripped for parts. The prevalence of organized crime involvement in vehicle thefts can be roughly estimated by looking at the proportion of stolen vehicles not recovered. In 2002, approximately one out of every five stolen vehicles was not recovered.
Contents
The extent of vehicle theft in Canada. -- Defining organized vehicle theft. -- Measuring stolen vehicle recoveries. -- Characteristics of recovered and not recovered vehicle theft incidents. -- Defining a criminal organization for future data collection. -- Youth involvement in organize vehicle theft. -- Sophistication of organized crime and vehicle theft. -- Turning stolen vehicles into profit. -- Measures to combat organized vehicle theft. -- Methodology.