'Nana car' a popular choice for thieves

The preferred choice nationwide for the average car thief has often been the Subaru Legacy and thieves in Christchurch are not straying from the norm.

Police data shows the model tops the list as the city’s most stolen car in the past six months, closely followed by its stablemate the Impreza.

Subaru Legacys accounted for seven per cent of all cars stolen and Imprezas six per cent.

This was closely followed by the Mazda Demio, which made up five per cent of all stolen vehicles.

The humble Demio has often previously topped the list as the most popular model for car thieves, leaving some scratching their heads.

 

Traditionally seen as a ‘nana car', Canterbury tactical crime squad head Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said this is the exact reason why they are popular with thieves.

The ‘incognito’ look of the vehicle, which would usually be driven by families or elderly people, means thieves, especially young offenders, believe police won’t notice them or pull them over.

“But police are aware of this,” Detective Senior Sergeant Wells said.

Officers are now on the lookout for Mazda Demios, especially when they contain groups of young people.

However, overall Nissans have been the most popular makes of cars targeted by thieves in the past six months, totally 21 per cent of all thefts. This is followed by Mazdas and Subarus, making up 17 per cent of all cars stolen.

Toyotas closely followed, making up 15 per cent.

Said Detective Senior Sergeant Wells: “We ask that owners of the most affected vehicle types take additional caution and security measures.

“In particular, it is important to note that prevention measures, such as alarms, make a huge difference and steering locks that might be mildly inconvenient for the owners to use make a huge difference in deterring offenders as it is visual,” he said.

Vehicles are often targeted due to being ‘sporty, cool or fast-looking', or a perceived idea they are easy to get into.

“This is not always true,” Detective Senior Sergeant Wells said.

Having an ‘incognito car’, such as the Mazda Demio, also plays a role, as well as where the vehicle is located, such as being parked on the street rather than in the garage.

Vehicles stolen in Christchurch in the past six months:

• Nissan – 21 per cent
• Mazda – 17 per cent
• Subaru – 17 per cent
• Toyota – 15 per cent
• Honda – 6 per cent
• Ford – 5 per cent
• Mitsubishi – 4 per cent
• Holden – 3 per cent
• Suzuki – 1 per cent
• Trailer – 1 per cent

Top 10 models stolen in the past six months:

• Subaru Legacy  – 7 per cent    
• Mazda Demio – 5 per cent     
• Toyota Hilux – 3 per cent       
• Mazda Atenza – 3 per cent 
• Nissan Primera – 2 per cent
• Subaru Impreza – 6 per cent
•  Mazda Familia – 4 per cent
•  Nissan Pulsar – 3 per cent
• Subaru Forester – 3 per cent
•  Nissan Terrano – 2 per cent