Recognition for work in auto theft reduction

Media release
28 February 2006

Security Association recognised for work in auto theft reduction

Nearly 100 cars are stolen in New Zealand every day.

The efforts of the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA) towards reducing this sobering statistic have been recognised with a commendation in the International Association of Auto Theft Investigation (IAATI) Australasian branch’s annual awards, announced today.

NZSA Executive Director Barrie Cooper says that the impact of car theft in New Zealand is not only monetary.

“Totally irresponsible people who are unskilled in their use and who often drive them at high speeds, steal cars. These actions lead to serious motor accidents, some even fatal, involving other innocent road users.”

With the support of the New Zealand Police, government agencies, the Insurance Council of New Zealand and many insurance companies, the NZSA’s Vehicle Security Industry Group implemented a star rating programme which earned the NZSA the commendation.

“The star rating programme rates the effectiveness of security alarms and also identifies those cars which are at greatest risk of being stolen. These include Subarus, Familias, Corollas, Evos and Skylines as well as all cars with turbos or GT,” Mr Cooper says.

Also, installers are required to be registered and certified with the New Zealand Security Association to standards set by the Australian and New Zealand Standards Authority.

“The Government announced a year ago that all imported used vehicles, 15 years or younger will require some form of immobilisation,” Mr Cooper says.

“More than 100 vehicles are stolen in New Zealand every day, costing the insurance companies many millions of dollars each year. While the duplicate key scam is by no means the only way cars are entered and stolen, it makes sense for car owners to take every precaution to protect their cars. Immobilisers are a logical safety device.”

Mr Cooper says the NZSA is delighted by the recognition of the Association’s initiatives by the IAATI and hopes it will help highlight the importance of the issue of vehicle security.

“The more aware and active people are in making their vehicles secure, the fewer downstream incidents we’ll see such as armed robberies, burglaries and shop-lifting, people often commit using a stolen vehicle.”

The NZSA, through its Vehicle Industry Security Group, will continue its work in this area and looks forward to seeing a reduction in stolen car statistics, Mr Cooper says.

ENDS

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