I understand, I drive one, and I have taught nearly a dozen others.
If you put someone behind the wheel of a manual transmission vehicle and don't give them any pointers, they will turn the key and complain that the vehicle doesn't start... even if they understand the general idea of a manual transmission. Muscle memory is a powerful thing. (In the US clutch interlocks are universal)
It is highly unlikely that someone with no prior experience with a manual will successfully pull off a time sensitive and high pressure task like a car theft. They will steal another car instead.
In US. Our 2005 CR-V has a clutch-starter interlock. None of my other (older) five manual cars have/had them. It does not appear to be a federal motor vehicle standard requirement*. On some cars which are factory-equipped, there are instructions on how to defeat the system (typically for off-road/trail riding).
If you put someone behind the wheel of a manual transmission vehicle and don't give them any pointers, they will turn the key and complain that the vehicle doesn't start... even if they understand the general idea of a manual transmission. Muscle memory is a powerful thing. (In the US clutch interlocks are universal)
It is highly unlikely that someone with no prior experience with a manual will successfully pull off a time sensitive and high pressure task like a car theft. They will steal another car instead.