Steering Column Locks and Motor Vehicle Theft: Evaluations from Three Countries

The fitting of security devices to motor vehicles has become an important approach to the prevention of motor vehicle crime. In cars, manufacturers have focused primarily on improving perimeter security to prevent breaking-in to the vehicle, and installing devices to prevent parked vehicles from being unlawfully driven away. The steering column lock Is an Important example of this approach, being the outcome of the first and only regulations requiring vehicles to befitted with anti-theft devices. The Federal Republic of Germany was the first country to Introduce such regulations, In 1961, followed nearly ten years later by the U.S. and Britain. This paper examines the effect of these regulations on motor vehicle crime In each of these countries. The evidence from all three countries is that steering column locks have helped to bring vehicle theft, particularly theftfor temporary use, under control for lengthy periods. The paper provides evidence that the speed with which the vehicle population has been protected by steering column locks, and the availability of other types of vehicles notprotected by such anti-theft devices, are Important issues in explaining theft patterns.