THIS PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE LEAA ADMINISTRATOR TO SUPPORT THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON AUTO THEFT PREVENTION. THE STUDY TEAM WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND RESEARCH STUDIES DEALING WITH AUTO THEFT IN ORDER TO PREPARE THIS REPORT. THE PRINCIPAL INFORMATION AND STUDY SOURCES WERE: THE FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS; THE FBI 1975 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SURVEY; THE FBI 1975 SPECIAL MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT SURVEY REPORT; THE 1972 CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, CALIFORNIA VEHICLE THEFT STUDY; THE 1975 MICHIGAN STATE POLICE, MICHIGAN STATE VEHICLE ANALYSIS SYSTEM REPORT; AND THE 1974 MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMERS' COUNCIL, REPORT ON CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF AUTO THEFT IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE STUDY FOUND THAT CURRENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE DOT VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114 DEALING WITH ANTI-THEFT IGNITION LOCKS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE THEFT DETERRENCE. THE TIME NEEDED TO DEFEAT THESE LOCKS VARIES FROM A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES, AND CARS WITH THE MOST EASILY DEFEATED LOCK HAVE THE HIGHEST THEFT RATE. THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT ON THE BASIS OF COST EFFECTIVENESS, STANDARD NO. 114 BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE MINIMUM PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES FOR ANTI-THEFT IGNITION LOCKS. IN ADDITION, PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO INFLUENCE THE BEHAVIOR AND RESPONSE OF THE PUBLIC, POTENTIAL OFFENDERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AND SHOULD INCLUDE A MORE EFFECTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM THAN CURRENTLY EXISTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)