Auto Theft in Canada

Auto theft is a major crime in Canada. According to a recent study, Canada has 376 cases of auto theft per 100,000 people. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates 20,000 stolen cars skip the country each year, that's approximately 30% - 40%. Approximately 30% of stolen cars are not found. However, theft rates in Canada have been declining since the mid-1990s. 125,000 reported cars were stolen in 2008; 145,000 were stolen in 2007; that is a change of 15%.Every province has had declining rates, ranging from 1% in Saskatchewan to 39% in Manitoba. Despite these large decreases in auto theft in Manitoba, it still has the highest auto theft rates in Canada; 81% of Manitoba's auto theft occurred in CMA of Winnipeg.
According to an unspecified study, the top ten cities home to the most auto theft in Canada are as follows:
1) Winnipeg MB
2) Abbotsford BC
3) Edmonton AB
4) Regina SK
5) Calgary AB
6) Vancouver BC
7) Saskatoon SK
8) Montreal QC
9) London ON
10) Hamilton ON
There are several reasons why thieves steal cars, but they're divided into two categories: amateur/occasional and professional. Amateur/occasional thieves steal for two reasons. They either steal for the joyride or for transportation. Youth who steal cars usually steal for the joyride. Those who steal for transportation may steal for long-term transportation or for long term transportation. Professional auto thieves steal for profit by the resale of the car or the chop shops where they would sell pieces of the car individually. Professional thieves also steal for the commission of another crime, such as robbery or theft. The top ten types of vehicles stolen according to a 2007 study are as follows:
1) 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2) 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3) 2002 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
4) 2004 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
5) 2005 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
6) 1997 Acura Integra 2-door
7) 2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door 4WD
8) 2003 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
9) 2006 Acura RSX type S 2-door
10) 2004 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
Although auto theft is a major crime, it is usually simple to prevent. Simple ways to protect your car from being stolen are locking your car, parking in your garage, keep your keys out of your car (do NOT leave your keys inside your car; most cars are stolen with the keys IN them). Other ways of preventing your car from being stolen are using alarms, steering lock devices, immobilization devices, tracking devices, and reward offers/hotlines. Marking your car with a bumper sticker or decals also makes your car more noticeable and easier to find if stolen.
However, most devices do NOT reduce theft rates.