With shoplifting and other crime rates at all-time highs right now it is nice to hear a little good news. According to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau auto thefts have dropped to their lowest levels in almost 50 years!

Vehicle theft rates dropped an estimated 7.2 percent between 2009 and 2010, the NICB said, based on FBI crime data. A total of about 795,000 vehicles were stolen in 2009.

West is Worst

When it comes to auto theft, the West Coast reins king. All 10 top metro areas for auto theft are on the West Coast. That fact that can probably be attributed to the high rate of car ownership and easy access to ports and international border crossings. Professional auto theft rings often try to move cars out of the country.

Regional theft rates are calculated based on the number of vehicles stolen compared to the population.

A Little Bad News

Auto thefts weren't down everywhere, however. Thefts rose in the five metro areas that had the highest rate of thefts. Those metro areas are: Fresno, Fairfield, Modesto and Bakersfield in California, followed by Spokane, Wash.

Technology and Stings Fuel the Decline!

Reasons for the decline in auto thefts include improved built-in anti-theft technology in cars and better enforcement, including "bait car" programs.

Police in many cities have been using cars left parked with the keys in them to attract opportunistic auto thieves. The cars can then be shut off using remote control as thieves try to drive away with them.

Since a relatively small number of auto thieves account for a large number of thefts, "bait car" programs have proven especially effective at fighting it.

It’s always nice to read a little good news!