HONDA tops the vehicles most stolen in the US last year with two models — 1990s Accord and Civic — ahead of the 1991 Toyota Camry at third.

According to a recent report by the US National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) the vehicle theft data is submitted by law enforcement officers to the National Crime Information Centre (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model and model year.

Locally, Honda also ranks high on the list of cars often stolen but it is the Toyota Corolla that takes the top spot here, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Altermoth Campbell from the Flying Squad.

“You pass about 100 Toyotas going from Kingston to St Ann and if a man thief a Toyota it is much harder for you to track him down,” said DSP Campbell.

“You take a taxi and don’t even know that is your stolen car you driving in,” he continued.

DSP Campbell listed the Nissan as the third choice for car thieves, adding that those models (Honda, Toyota and Nissan) were also the most popular ones here thus providing a constant need for spare parts.

“They are the most common vehicles, and they are the most involved in accidents, so people are always going to need parts for them,” said the Flying Squad cop.

The NICB report also surmised that certain models of older cars and pickup trucks were popular with US thieves because of the value of their parts.

Interestingly, it added that many older US vehicles were not insured against theft.

According to the US report, newer, more expensive and insured vehicles are more likely stolen and resold intact with counterfeit vehicle identification numbers, or shipped out of the country.

The report added that for the first time since 2002, US car thieves preferred domestic models instead of foreign brands. Last year Ford took three spots, Dodge two and Chevrolet held one while the remaining four were held by Honda, Toyota and Acura. However, the top three positions continue to be held by Honda and Toyota models, a trend that has been consistent since 2000.

The Ford F150 continues to be the most stolen pickup in the US the report said and takes fifth spot on last year’s list.

Overall, however vehicle thefts continued a decline in the US. Preliminary 2010 FBI crime statistics point to a further 7.2 per cent reduction over the thefts posted in 2009 said the report. “Should the preliminary numbers hold when the FBI produces its final statistics later this year, 2010 will post the fewest vehicle thefts since 1967.”

According to the NICB improved technology is one of the keys to lower theft rates. “Of the nearly 52,000 Honda Accords stolen in 2010, over 44,000 were models made in the 1990s, compared with fewer than 5,700 that were produced since the year 2000.