Vehicle thefts rose statewide for the seventh consecutive year in 2005, with the Myrtle Beach area among the state's hottest spots for the crime, according to an annual report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Based on the annual report, only the Rock Hill area, which is part of the Charlotte metropolitan statistical area, had a higher vehicle theft rate.

The theft rate, or number of thefts per 100,000 population in the Myrtle Beach MSA, ranked 27th in the nation in 2005, a drop from the 2004 ranking of 20th. the report said.

The report is an inaccurate reflection of the city because the metropolitan statistical area includes all of Horry County, said spokesman Mark Kruea.

In addition, Kruea said, "The statistics are skewed by the millions of tourists that we have here every year, instead of just reflecting the city's regular population."

The annual report is published to promote discussion about auto theft and insurance fraud, said Frank Scafidi of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

"These statistics, though important, are very misleading and frankly inaccurate when characterizing a tourism-based area," said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "They ignore the fact that the Myrtle Beach area welcomes 13 million visitors each year while maintaining a relatively low permanent population through the year."

"The Rock Hill area edges out Myrtle Beach because it is included with Charlotte," said Allison Dean Love, executive director of the S.C. Insurance News Service, which distributed the annual report.

Insurance Crime Bureau officials attributed the change to Myrtle Beach and Charlotte's proximity to the state line, and to annual tourism and large events in both areas.

"People are being more proactive and remembering not to leave their keys in their cars," said Sgt. Terry Altman of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

"A lot of these crimes could be prevented if people secured their vehicles," said Police Department spokesman Capt. David Knipes. "All you can do is your best to prevent yourself from being a victim."

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