About Car Theft in Australia

According to Australia's Institute of Criminology, the land down under has one of the highest car theft rates in the western world. The AIC estimates that 131,000 cars are purloined each year in Australia, equaling roughly 1 vehicle stolen every 4 minutes. The government, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and private citizens are banding together to try to hit upon a solution to this massive national problem.

Significance

There has been an unprecedented improvement in the level of communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies at all levels of local, state and national government in Australia. The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, the National Anti-Crime Strategy Lead Ministers forum, the CARS database, insurance companies and local police forces have all collaborated to share information and to educate the public regarding safety precautions, yet the incidence of car theft continues to increase.

Geography

Australia, like most developed Western countries, has a high rate of car ownership through all levels of its population. It also has the second highest level of car theft in the world, behind the United Kingdom. The car theft rate in Australia is considerably higher than most other developed countries with high vehicle ownership rates including the United States, Canada and Mexico. Police agencies in all of Australia's major political divisions have launched campaigns directed at professional car theft rings and opportunistic amateur car thieves.

Types

Australian car thieves appear to fall into one of two categories, professional and opportunistic. Professional car theft rings account for around 20 percent of vehicle and appears to be growing at a faster clip than their amateur cousins. Professional car thieves dispose of stolen vehicles in to primary fashions. Many are driven across state lines where they are re-sold. Others are taken to chop-shops where they are dismantled and sold for spare parts. Although thieves may target older models vehicles, new cars are at the greatest risk from accessory strippers. Late model luxury vehicles and sports cars such as Audi, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot, Statesman, Range Rover and Saab have the highest risk for theft.

Considerations

With the cost of car theft rising to above $1 billion in Australia, the demand for government intervention has risen exponentially. Education seems to be the primary key to reducing the high level of car theft. Currently, in cases where the means of entry is known, nearly one-third of stolen cars had the doors unlocked, the key in the ignition, and in some cases the engine was running. Studies indicate educating the public to simply lock their car doors and take their keys would significantly reduce the level of opportunistic car theft.

Prevention/Solution

Government agencies are also encouraging vehicle manufacturers to do more to make cars less likely to be stolen, or more easily identified if they are. A workable and cost effective system of vehicle identification plates, combined with a national register of stolen vehicles, should make it more difficult for professional thieves to 're-birth' a stolen car. The mandated use of immobilizer technology, steering wheel locks and vehicle alarms is also expected to reduce the incidence of car theft in Australia.

Resources

• The Australian Institute of Criminology