"Insurers can play a major role in the European barrier model against car theft"

Car theft has become a major criminal market over the past decade, affecting virtually all Member States of the European Union. Reason enough for the CCV, Ghent University and the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) to conduct research into this. The parties started the V-BAR project in 2022 and investigated the logistical process of car theft and car squatting in six EU member states: the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Italy. Lienke Hutten, CCV adviser, tells us more about it and discusses the role that insurers can play in tackling car theft and car burglary.

Researchers from different countries worked together on the project. How did the researchers go about it?

"In order to get a good picture of the national markets of motor vehicle crime, the researchers from the different countries have drawn up a report for each country. The researchers analysed recent criminal records and interviewed relevant parties, such as law enforcement agencies, car manufacturers, car insurers and retailers active in e-commerce."

What is the situation in the Netherlands?

"In the Netherlands, it is mainly organised gangs that are responsible for the theft of cars and car parts. These stolen cars are regularly used for other criminal activities, such as importing drugs, weapons, and illegal money. Cars are also stolen for financial gain. Certain models are stolen 'to order' and then transported across borders. This also applies to specific car parts. Think of catalytic converters that bring in a lot of money."

Hutten also indicates that more expensive cars in particular are also used as a means of payment, especially because cash payments are becoming increasingly difficult. Moreover, our country is a 'conduit' to other countries as far as stolen cars are concerned; Entire cars are transported out of the country in containers and trucks. What is striking is that the stolen cars are often the cheaper models. This is mainly due to the fact that these vehicles have fewer or no anti-theft features. These cheaper cars mainly end up in African countries. In Eastern Europe, German cars are more popular, because they are known to be robust.

Top 3 Stolen Car Brands in 2023 

1. Toyota RAV 4
2. Volkswagen Golf
3. Volkswagen Polo

Source: Allianz Direct

As far as car parts are concerned, navigation systems, number plates and airbags are stolen in particular. Steering wheels and multimedia systems are also popular.
"The parts are stolen for two reasons. The first category of parts are stolen for their high value and 'bling' image. These parts can usually be sold quickly. The second category concerns parts that are stolen to carry out repairs," the CCV adviser continues.
Finally, Hutten mentions which locations in the Netherlands are popular with thieves. "These are mainly border locations such as Limburg and locations with multiple arterial roads such as Amsterdam."

Lienke Hutten

In the end, this resulted in the European barrier model. Can you elaborate on this?

"In the first half of 2023, we analysed the reports from all countries. This is where we extracted the cross-border elements. These elements formed the basis of the European barrier model. This model describes the steps criminals must take in order to be able to commit car theft and carjacking in the European Union. For each step, the possibilities that are offered, the signals that can be picked up, the people who can consciously or unconsciously help the criminals in their actions, the barriers that can be erected and the parties that can do this, are discussed. The project group is currently presenting the European Commission with the five most important barriers to tackle."

The five main barriers within the European barrier model

1. Provide data-driven automatic number plate recognition within the EU;
2. Make an inventory of the car sales process in different Member States;
3. As a car dealer, know your customer and the origin of parts;
4. Mark car parts to prevent trade in stolen parts;
5. As insurers, create awareness among car owners.

Finally. What role can insurers play?

"The role of insurers is mainly reflected in the fifth barrier. When insurers work well together, they can share a lot of information, which can help detect car theft trends early. This can be achieved by providing legal frameworks for the exchange of data and if insurers give each other access to their own information systems."
If insurers communicate theft trends to car owners, they can also take preventative measures more quickly. Ideally, according to Hutten, there will be a 'trend detection system' in which insurers work together to identify and communicate trends.

Lienke Hutten is a criminologist and has been working as an adviser at the CCV since 2017. At the CCV, she works as a project leader within the organised crime team, with a focus on barrier models. In addition, she is project leader of the Online Traffic Disturbances team within the CCV.