Lock Your Doors: Greatest Number Of Stolen Cars Occur On New Years Day

The reminder to lock your car is a common tip given by police and insurance companies, but on New Year's Day, stolen cars is actually a statistic that tops the list. 

According to a study of reports from 2010 by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, News Year's Day tops all holidays in the United States for the highest number of stolen cars, while Christmas Day repeats as the holiday with the fewest reported vehicle thefts. 

Cpl. Dave Lewis of the Sykesville Police reminds local residents that this type of crime could happen anywhere.

"Make a New Year's resolution to lock your cars and homes. Remove valuables from cars. Look after your neighbors, and hope that they are looking after you," said Lewis. 

The holidays ranked by number of thefts reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in 2010 were:

1. New Year’s Day - 2,347
2. Memorial Day - 2,122           
3. Halloween - 2,064
4. Labor Day - 2,020
5. New Year’s Eve - 1,986
6. Christmas Eve - 1,928
7. Independence Day - 1,914
8. President’s Day - 1,903
9. Valentine’s Day - 1,745
10. Thanksgiving - 1,605
11. Christmas Day - 1,361