Surge in Vehicle Thefts Last Year in Massachusetts
One of the Top 10 States by Percent Increase
Massachusetts has the unwanted distinction of being one of the top 10 states with the highest increase in vehicle thefts last year. In a new report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Massachusetts catapulted into the fifth position on the list with a 16% increase change in the number of thefts from 2022 to 2023. Overall, the NICB says vehicle thefts continue to surge nationwide, posing a challenge to both vehicle owners and law enforcement agencies looking to curb this trend.
“Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including the use of advanced technology to bypass security systems,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB. “From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates. It is critical that industry and law enforcement work together to develop more effective strategies for combating auto theft and safeguarding public safety.”
Vehicle theft rates have risen steadily since 2019
Last year, more than one million vehicles were reported stolen and overall vehicle thefts increased about one percent nationwide from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023. California accounted for the highest number of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2023 with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen. The District of Columbia had the highest theft rate across the nation in 2023 with 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people, which is over three times the national theft rate.
Top 10 States by Percent Increase
Key findings from the NICB report include Vehicle Theft Hotspots. While some regions witnessed a decline in vehicle theft rates, others experienced a notable uptick. Urban centers and densely populated areas remained hotspots for auto theft, with metropolitan regions such as the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area reporting increased incidents compared to suburban or rural areas. The District of Columbia and Maryland each saw a drastic rise in thefts in 2023, with theft percentage increases of 64% and 63%, respectively.
RankStatePercent Change 2022 to 20231.District of Columbia64%2.Maryland63%3.Connecticut33%4.Nevada18%5.Massachusetts16%6.Delaware15%7.New York15%8.Pennsylvania13%9.Nebraska12%10.Louisiana, North Carolina, & Tennessee10%
“Addressing the rising tide of vehicle thefts demands collaborative partnerships involving law enforcement agencies, government bodies, automotive manufacturers, and the community at large,” Glawe said. “The repercussions of vehicle theft extend beyond financial losses, causing significant distress and inconvenience for affected individuals. Beyond the financial burden of replacing stolen vehicles and repairing damages, victims often endure emotional stress and disruption to their daily routines.”
Top 10 States by Volume
The top ten states by volume have remained consistent in each quarter in 2023. After California, Texas and Florida were ranked the second and third in thefts by volume with 115,013 and 46,213 stolen vehicles reported, respectively. Five of the states included in the top 10 theft states by volume also appeared in the top 10 list of states with the highest theft rates: California, Texas, Washington, Colorado, and Missouri.
RankState2023 Theft1.California208,6682.Texas115,0133.Florida46,2134.Washington43,1605.Illinois41,5286.Colorado34,0687.New York32,7158.Ohio31,6479.Georgia28,17110.Missouri27,279
Top 10 States by Theft Rate
The National Insurance Crime Bureau also compiled the data for theft rates from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation’s metropolitan statistical areas. The NICB report analyzes the number of thefts per 100,000 residents, which allows it to compare different regions’ theft patterns despite population differences. The District of Columbia, Nevada, and Maryland each ranked within the top 10 theft states by theft rate as well as the top 10 states by theft percentage increase.
RankState2023 Theft1.District of Columbia1,149.712.Colorado583.253.Nevada572.704.Washington554.445.California534.496.New Mexico489.677.Missouri441.618.Maryland427.999.Oregon394.1410.Texas383.00
More about the NICB
NICB partners with state and federal law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks and help recover stolen vehicles for member companies. It also participates in federal, state and local task forces, fusion centers, and intelligence groups to deter vehicle theft and works strategically with lawmakers and regulators in all 50 states to boost efforts by insurers and law enforcement to fight crime trends like rising vehicle thefts.
