Four cars are stolen every day, on average, but there would be fewer of these crimes if the public were more cautious. ACT Policing have urged the police to secure their vehicles and homes, and so stop these easy vehicle thefts.

“Please make it hard for thieves,” said Detective Inspector Shane Scott. “Lock your home. Lock your car – every time. And do not leave valuables in your vehicle.”

Most car thefts are opportunistic, Insp. Scott said. Some owners might leave their keys in their vehicle, or a garage or house door unlocked, and the keys lying in plain sight. Criminals then take the car for a joyride, or even use it to commit another crime.

“In 2021, it should be very difficult to take a modern vehicle,” Insp. Scott said. “Very few cars can still be ‘hot-wired’.”

Of the 1,450 vehicles reported stolen in the past year, most were stolen with the vehicle’s key – and there were 27 cases last month alone.

Don’t keep car keys in your vehicle (not even in the glovebox), but keep them somewhere secure in your home, Insp. Scott advised. That doesn’tmeanthe kitchen bench.

Don’t leave valuables in your car, either, Insp. Scott recommended. Opportunistic thieves check for unlocked vehicles in garages, parking lots, and in driveways – and often find wallets, handbags, cash, and phones.

“Getting access to a vehicle or to a premises or even to items on the back seat of a car that are in plain sight gives an opportunity for someone to actually commit that crime,” he said.

Criminals also steal vehicle number plates, and put them on stolen vehicles to avoid police detection. You can pick up free tamper-proof screws from any ACT police station.

ACT Policing offer these tips to Outsmart the Offender:

Lock and hide

• Lock your car doors, close the windows, and don’t leave valuables in the vehicle. Even when your car is locked, it’s not impossible to get in. Offenders are less likely to break in if they can’t see anything worth stealing.
• Lock your car even if you’re only gone for a few seconds.
• Close all windows.
• Don’t leave valuables (like your wallet, phone, or laptop) in the car even if it is locked. Even loose change can tempt a thief.
• Don’t keep registration papers or anything valuable in the glove box.
• Never leave spare keys and garage remotes in your car (even if they are hidden).
• If possible, park in a garage, your backyard, or carport, rather than in your driveway or on the street.
• If you’re out at night, park in a secure carpark or a well-lit area.

Protect your ride

• Cars are more likely to be stolen from a car park than any other location. Your driveway and house are also target locations.
• Always take your car keys with you, and when at home leave them in a safe place. If you leave home without your car, don’t leave your car keys in plain sight in your house.
• Thieves target older vehicles without engine immobilisers because they are easier to steal.
• For newer cars, thieves break into houses (or enter through unlocked doors and windows) to find the car keys and then stealing the car. Don’t leave keys near front doors or in other open/obvious places.

If your car is stolen, ring police on 131 444. If you have any information about vehicle thefts that could assist Police, you’re urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

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