The Volkswagen Golf was also the most stolen car in the Netherlands in 2021. A total of 328 cars of this model type were stolen, reports the National Vehicle Crime Information Center (LIV).
It was also striking that 16 percent fewer passenger cars were stolen in 2021 than in 2020, the center reports. That is the biggest drop in five years. The Dutch Association of Insurers already reported this decrease at the end of last year. Also, 7 percent fewer motorcycles were stolen.
The decline is greatest in the three major cities. According to the LIV, the curfew that applied at the beginning of last year and the cold winter weather in February probably played a role in the decline.
Digital tracking
“Of course we are very happy with these figures”, says manager at the LIV Rudi Welling. “The intensive cooperation and the increase in the use of connectivity when recovering stolen vehicles also contribute to this, but the influence of the corona pandemic is of course undeniable.”
“Figures from the insurers show that the total cost of damage caused by car theft is decreasing, but that it has increased by an average of 10 percent per vehicle in the past year. Next year we will therefore make even more use of digital tracing when finding vehicles.”
Nissan Qashqai also wanted by thieves
A total of 5404 passenger cars were stolen last year. The most popular type of car among thieves is the SUV.
The Nissan Qashqai was especially popular in this category. Thieves stole this model type 104 times, an increase of 160 percent from the previous year.
VW Polos and Fiat 500s were also in demand. Of these models, 295 and 196 were stolen respectively.
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