Canada tops U.S. in car theft rates

Studies by Statistics Canada and the FBI show Canada is actually outpacing the U.S. in terms of auto theft. Based on 2000 figures, Canada averages 521 vehicle thefts per 100,000 people, 26% higher than the U.S. rate of 414. This trend has been consistent for the past five years.Regina ranked as the top city, with 1,594 thefts per 100,000. However, there is also a 96% vehicle recovery rate, as many of the thefts involve teen “joyriding”, with abandoned vehicles being found by police later.Winnipeg was a close second with 1,425 thefts per 100,000.This is a big jump from U.S. cities such as New York and Washington, which were below 500. Phoenix topped American cities with 1,000 thefts.Toronto and Quebec City ranked lowest among North American cities, with 365 and 230 thefts, respectively.Statistics Canada notes that the biggest difference is in the number of trucks, minivans and SUVS stolen in Canada, which were twice as likely to be stolen here than in the U.S. Based on cars alone, Canada’s theft rate is on par with the U.S.