Automobile thefts within the US are on the rise and nearing document ranges, a brand new report from the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau (NICB) has proven.

Evaluation by the group discovered that just about 500,000 automobiles had been reported stolen within the nation throughout the first half of the yr, up 2% from the identical interval in 2022.

Illinois skilled essentially the most substantial enhance amongst any state, with car thefts rising by 38%. New York got here in second with a 20% enhance, adopted by Ohio with a 15% hike.

Automobile thefts additionally elevated in Texas (9%), Georgia (9%), and Missouri (3%), in accordance with the report.  

And whereas the variety of instances decreased in Florida (-1%), California (-2%), Washington (-12%) and Colorado (-19%), they had been nonetheless among the many listing of 10 states with the best fee of thefts.

“Automobile thefts elevated to near-record highs in america final yr, and sadly, present tendencies point out complete thefts this yr could surpass 2022,” mentioned NICB president and CEO David J. Glawe in a information launch.  “With little deterrent to cease these legal actors, legislation enforcement companies and communities will proceed to endure.”

NICB’s report moreover revealed that car thefts averaged greater than 80,000 instances between January and July 2023. The height occurred in Could, with 87,993 automobiles reported stolen to legislation enforcement.

Commenting on these findings, Glawe urged people to take proactive measures to safeguard their automobiles.

“The excellent news is there are a number of proactive and commonsense steps customers can take to assist deter car theft, together with a very powerful, which is to by no means depart your keys or key fob within the automobile,” he mentioned. “All the time lock the doorways and roll up your home windows and by no means depart valuables in plain sight; as an alternative place them in your trunk or out of sight.”

The NICB report relies on knowledge from the Nationwide Crime Data Heart (NCIC). Its launch coincides with Nationwide Crime Prevention Month.

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