Poland's state security service BOR will no longer use more than a dozen BMW cars to chauffeur high-ranking official visitors, fearful the luxury limousines will be stolen.
The Polish government bought the 14 BMW limousines to drive guests during Pope John Paul II's visit to Krakow in mid-August at a cost around four million zlotys (some €950,000), and wanted to turn them over to BOR to use for other visitors.
Polish car thieves, who steal tens of thousands of cars per year, fancy high-end models and have been bold enough to steal official cars.
Police have yet to find a Mercedes used by then justice minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, who is now the foreign minister, which was stolen in 1993.
Marek Wagner, chief of staff for prime minster Leszek Miller, said the government had so far not found anyone willing to buy the limousines.