Vehicle Crime Review 2005 - AVCIS Police.UK

CONTENTSSUMMARY 1This report has been prepared underSection 6 of the National Audit Act 1983for presentation to the House of Commonsin accordance with Section 9 of the Act.John BournComptroller and Auditor GeneralNational Audit Office18 January 2005The National Audit Officestudy team consisted of:Philip Gibby and Sarah Mason under thedirection of Aileen MurphieThis report can be found on the NationalAudit Office web site at www.nao.org.ukFor further information about theNational Audit Office please contact:National Audit OfficePress Office157-197 Buckingham Palace RoadVictoriaLondonSW1W 9SPTel: 020 7798 7400Email: enquiries@nao.gsi.gov.uk© National Audit Office 2005PART 1Numbers of thefts of and from vehicles 8have fallen significantlyA large number of vehicles are broken into or stolen 9The British Crime Survey estimates the number 11of thefts of and from vehicles has fallen by30 per cent since 1999Despite the reduction, vehicle crimes continue 12to endanger lives, cause owners distress andinconvenience, and increase the cost of motoringPART 2The Home Office has co-ordinated 14measures to achieve significantreductions in vehicle crimeThe Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team has 15proved an effective body in co-ordinating initiativesVehicle crime has also come down because of a 16range of other external factorsOur examination focused on Home Office actions 16to tackle thefts of and thefts from vehiclesPART 3Improvements in vehicle security help 18deter criminalsThe Home Office has encouraged manufacturers 19to improve securityAdditional improvements in vehicle security 20could reduce crime further