Vehicle Theft Up By 24% In Qld - Is Your Car Safe?

Dude?! Where’s My Car?!

According to research undertaken by Car Safe Quick Stats, based on 2017 data from the first quarter of this year to the preceding 12 months, 57,173 vehicles (including cars, trucks and motorcycles) have been stolen across Australia. This equates to approximately 156 vehicles a day being taken by planned or opportunistic thieves. Of these statistics, 10,616 vehicles were taken in Queensland, which was an increase of 24% from the prior year of 2016 in the same corresponding period.

Vehicle Theft Trends Across Australia

Other comparable states were Victoria with 19,362 vehicles taken and an increase of 16% to the previous period, and in NSW 11,986 vehicles were taken which actually indicated a decrease of 4% for vehicle theft for the same period. Generally although, vehicle thefts are on the increase, which is alarming considering in 2012 thieves stole enough vehicles to fill the Carindale and Chermside car parks together!

Why Shopping Centres Are a Thief’s Favourite Target

Within Queensland, thieves favour the Myer Centre, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and Westfield’s Chermside, Carindale and Garden City Shopping Centres, with Mount Gravatt being a prime target by reporting the most vehicle thefts over the past few years. Even though people generally keep their transponder with them when they enter a shopping centre, there has still been a notable increase in cars being stolen.

Which Vehicles Are Most Targeted?

Surprisingly, according to RACQ’s latest insurance claim figures, “the humble Holden Commodore is the most likely car of choice” with “vehicles being produced between 2001 and 2010 making up eight of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the last three years”. Out of the 10 most likely cars of choice to be stolen, the last two spots are taken by Toyota with the 1998 LandCruisers and 2006 Hiluxs also popular targets.

Home-Based Vehicle Theft on the Rise

Apart from shopping centres being a favourite ‘hunting ground’ for thieves, people’s homes are also a prime target. Lately, a form of home intrusion known as ‘Sneak Raids’ has been a favoured approach of thieves. Opportunistic thieves sneak into people’s homes, steal their keys and then drive away with their cars. Unfortunately, one in four households has experienced such a car theft from their property in this way. If a homeowner does not simply close their front door or lock their home properly, they could become an easy victim. Locking a home properly is essential to ward of ‘would-be’ thieves. Vehicles should also be carefully locked and immobilised to help prevent targeting by thieves.

RACQ’s Tips to Reduce Vehicle Theft

1. Always lock your vehicle and secure windows when away from your car, even when at home or in the garage
2. Always keep your keys safe – getting hold of your keys is the easiest way for a thief to steal your car.
3. At night, when possible, park in a well-lit secure area.
4. Don’t tempt potential thieves by leaving valuables visible in your vehicle.
5. Never leave your engine running while you are away from your car.
6. Use off-street parking where available
7. Secure car keys when the vehicle is parked at home or work.
8. Do not hide a spare key in your car, even if you think it is well concealed.
9. If your vehicle does not have a factory-fitted engine immobiliser, you need to install an Australian Standards self-arming immobiliser.
10. And always ensure that your car insurance is up-to-date.

Stay Alert, Stay Secure

So in order to keep your vehicle safe and out of the hands of thieves, make sure you park it safely, lock it securely, keep your keys safe, install an immobiliser, and make sure all of your locks and keys are working properly! Don’t be a target or a statistic!

For advice or assistance, the team at Blacks Mobile Locksmith, Beenleigh, can help, give them a call on 07 3382 0755 - and keep your property and loved ones safe!