Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Bush hopes an online stolen vehicle database unveiled in Wellington this morning will help dramatically reduce car thefts in New Zealand.



The database, which was launched at a meeting of the Crime Prevention Partnership Forum, lists all vehicles stolen in New Zealand in the last six month.



People can check if any car is stolen by keying in its registration number, VIN, engine or chassis number online.



The search will return the make, model, colour and whether the car is stolen.



The list of stolen vehicles, which will be updated three times a day, goes live at midday today.



Bush said car theft was a significant problem in New Zealand. Last year 20,345 vehicles were reported stolen. Police want to halve that figure in the next few years, he said.



"A lot of them (stolen cars) aren't recovered so it's a huge cost to motorists, members of the public, to insurance companies etc so it's a big issue in New Zealand.



"Potentially it (the database) gives police many more pairs of eyes out there. People can do their own checking and then report it to police.



"The risk of being caught with a stolen vehicle has just risen significantly."



The database would be a valuable resource for security guards, insurance companies, moteliers, scrap metal dealers and police, Bush said.



It would also benefit people buying second-hand vehicles, garages that service vehicles and service stations.



Smart phone applications for the database were being developed, he said.



Insurance Council New Zealand spokesman Terry Jordan said the new database was good news for insurers.



Stolen vehicles cost the insurance industry more than $80 million a year, Mr Jordan said.



"If insurers can see a reduction in that that will be extremely good news in light of all the bad news they've been facing over the recent year.



"We are hoping for a significant rate drop. It gives burglars fewer rocks to hide under."



New Zealand Security Association vice chairman Peter Freeman said the database would allow security companies to be more proactive in identifying stolen vehicles.



"Most times when a when a bank is unfortunately attacked or robbed or what ever the perpetrators will use a stolen vehicle. If he (a security guard) sees a vehicle acting suspiciously he will then be able to put it into the website and check whether it's stolen. Scrap Metal Recycling Association president Korina Munro said the database was another tool for dealers to be able to check if they were buying stolen goods.