<a href="https://www.archyde.com/incidence-rate-by-department-as-of-sunday-january-2-2022-in-france/" title="Incidence rate by department as of Sunday January 2, 2022 in France“>Bouches-du-Rhône is the leading department in terms of the number of stolen vehicles according to a group of French insurers. The most sought-after models are also the most sold. The targeted vehicles, whole or stripped down, generally supply Eastern countries and Africa from Marseille.
Ismael is crouched over his toolbox, attaching new bolts to his car. On the old one, the battery was taken from me “, explains this resident of a residential area in the north of Marseille. Thefts are not limited to simple spare parts: ” They stole two scooters from my sonhe laments. We found them in the 15th arrondissement, with some kids walking around with them. ! »
Ismaël is far from being an isolated case in the capital of Bouches-du-Rhône, the first department of France in the number of stolen vehicles, a city often associated with crime. In the 11th arrondissement of Marseille, Jeannot is at the stove in his restaurant. I had a Mercedes, a Class A, which I parked in front of my house. The next morning, no more contact, nothing. ! They had torn off the wiring harness. Since then, I have been putting the car in the garage “, he grumbles, recalling these bad memories, knowing that the cost of the garage comes to around fifty euros per month. Even for insurance, I had to pay an additional deductible. ! “, laments the restaurateur.
A few kilometers away, Eric is a mechanic. 80s music in the background in the workshop, gray work coat, he turns his wrench in his hand while talking about the spare parts stolen in recent months. There are a lot of flights, airbags, optics, dashboard displays, GPS, screens, all of that.he lists. This is the disease of our days ! »
8% of cars stolen across the whole of France in 2023
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An observation shared by Bernard Leclerc, president of Argos, a group of insurers specializing in vehicle theft: “ This is where we encounter the most thefts.he confirms. There were 9 236 flights in Bouches-du-Rhône. » Which represents 8% of cars stolen across the whole of France in 2023. A number of thefts which can be explained in particular by two factors, according to Bernard Leclerc, the population density, firstly, and the particularity of Marseille, its history and its port, from where a large part of the stolen vehicles leave, mainly towards Africa.
Thefts of spare parts or entire cars, sometimes organized into a real network, from the thief to the garage owner. In one night, four vehicles of the same make and model, all four of which could be stolen, their hoods and engines removed, in the same town, and all of this in a very clean manner.explains Constant Caylus, head of the Bouches-du-Rhône gendarmerie. It is dismantled to be reassembled on other vehicles. This is where we see, investigations have shown, that we have real networks. »
The best-selling car in France in 2023, the Renault Clio logically comes out on top of the most stolen cars, but thieves can also set their sights on more high-end models or motorcycles, scooters, etc. These are often branded vehicles, according to the head of the gendarmerie. You have behind you big profits that are generated because a part that is reassembled with a new value, while it is in fact a stolen part, is a part that costs nothing. “The opportunity for him to recall that in France, one in six crimes is linked to automobiles.
Also listen to: Faced with gangs in Marseille, “we cannot limit ourselves to one-off operations”
Car Theft in Bouches-du-Rhône: A Growing Concern
The department of Bouches-du-Rhône, particularly Marseille, has earned the unwanted reputation of being the leader in car thefts in France. According to a group of French insurers, the region accounts for a staggering 8% of stolen vehicles across the country in 2023 [[3]]. The alarming rate of car thefts in Bouches-du-Rhône is attributed to two primary factors: high population density and the strategic location of Marseille, which serves as a hub for stolen vehicles destined for Eastern countries and Africa.
Organized Crime and Sophisticated Thieves
Car thefts in Bouches-du-Rhône are often organized and carried out by sophisticated networks of thieves. They target not only entire vehicles but also valuable spare parts, which are then sold or exported to other countries [[3]]. The thieves use advanced methods, including electronic means, to steal cars without forced entry, making it challenging for authorities to track them down [[2]]. In some cases, multiple vehicles of the same make and model are stolen in a single night, with the thieves removing engines and other parts to be sold or reused [[3]].
Residents’ Experiences
Residents of Marseille have fallen victim to car thefts, experiencing significant financial losses and emotional distress. Ismaël, a resident of a residential area in the north of Marseille, had his car battery stolen, while Jeannot, a restaurateur, lost his Mercedes Class A to thieves who ripped out the wiring harness [[3]]. Eric, a local mechanic, reports that numerous spare parts, including airbags, optics, and GPS systems, have been stolen from his workshop [[3]].
Prevention and Protection
To minimize the risk of car theft, authorities and experts recommend taking proactive measures. According to France Forum, hiding luggage and valuables from view in the boot of the car can significantly reduce the risk of theft [[1]]. Additionally, parking in well-lit and secure areas, using immobilizers, and keeping vehicles in garages can help deter thieves.
Conclusion
Car theft in Bouches-du-Rhône, particularly in Marseille, is a pressing concern that requires concerted efforts from authorities, residents, and the automotive industry. By understanding the methods used by thieves and taking preventive measures, we can reduce the number of stolen vehicles and make the region a safer place for car owners. With the Renault Clio being the most stolen car in France in 2023, it is essential for owners to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their vehicles from falling prey to organized crime syndicates [[2]].
References:
<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187070-i12-k13952524-Carbreakins-France.html”>[1]
Most stolen cars in France
Car Theft in Bouches-du-Rhône: A Growing Concern
Bouches-du-Rhône, a department in southern France, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the leading region in terms of the number of stolen vehicles. According to a group of French insurers, the most sought-after models are also the most sold, and the targeted vehicles, whole or stripped down, generally supply Eastern countries and Africa from Marseille.
The issue of car theft in Bouches-du-Rhône is not a new one. Residents of the region, such as Ismael and Jeannot, have fallen victim to thefts of spare parts or entire cars [[3]]. Ismael, a resident of a residential area in the north of Marseille, had his car’s battery stolen, while Jeannot, a restaurateur, had his Mercedes stolen from outside his house. The thieves even went to the extent of tearing out the wiring harness, leaving Jeannot to foot the bill for a garage and additional insurance deductibles.
The problem of car theft in Bouches-du-Rhône is not limited to individual instances. The region has seen organized networks of thieves and garage owners working together to steal and dismantle vehicles [[1]]. In one instance, four vehicles of the same make and model were stolen in one night, with their hoods and engines removed in a very clean manner. These stolen parts are then reassembled on other vehicles, often destined for Eastern countries and Africa.
The scale of the problem is staggering. According to Bernard Leclerc, president of Argos, a group of insurers specializing in vehicle theft, there were 9,236 thefts in Bouches-du-Rhône in 2023, representing 8% of cars stolen across the whole of France [[2]]. Leclerc attributes the high rate of thefts to the region’s population density and the particularity of Marseille, its history, and its port.
The authorities have been working to combat the problem of car theft in Bouches-du-Rhône. In a recent crackdown, a massive fraud network was dismantled, and four people will be tried on April 12 [[1]]. The gendarmerie has also been investigating the thefts, with Constant Caylus, head of the Bouches-du-Rhône gendarmerie, stating that investigations have shown the existence of real networks behind the thefts.
The problem of car theft in Bouches-du-Rhône is a complex one, requiring a multi-faceted approach to combat. While the authorities continue to work to dismantled networks of thieves, residents of the region must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their vehicles.
References:
[1] https://www.leparisien.fr/bouches-du-rhone-13/bouches-du-rhone-un-reseau-de-fraud-emassive-au-code-de-la-route-demantele-19-personnes-interpellees-21-03-2024-RZ7OQIUCKVDMXBBURAGH4GCYKQ.php
[2] https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20100601-cars-marseille-hold-found
[3] https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/societe/les-bouches-du-rhone-departement-le-plus-touche-de-france-par-le-vandalisme-sur-les-vehicules-6732718
