By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Car theft in Geelong rose 19 per cent in the year to 30 September, according to latest figures.
The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) recorded 553 cars stolen in “short-term thefts” and 190 taken for profit, a total of 743 for Geelong.
Cars stolen for profit rose from 155 last year, a 23 per cent increase.
Thieves were stripping some cars, including prestigious European makes, and exporting them for huge profits, NMVTRC said.
Short-term thefts, defined as cars taken for joyrides or the commission of another crime, rose 17 per cent, from 471 to 553.
Geelong’s total car thefts were third highest in the state, behind Hume with 872 and Brimbank on 755.
Geelong’s percentage increase was equal highest in Victoria with greater Dandenong.
The top 10 suburbs for thefts were Norlane 81, Corio 66, Belmont 53, Geelong 49, Lara 48, Geelong West 44, Newtown 42, Highton 27, Grovedale 26 and North Geelong 21.
Various models of the Holden Commodore were the most-popular targets for car theft in Geelong.
The statistics showed Victoria had a 5.6 per cent increase, up to 14,381 from 13,620, exceeding New South Wales for the first time.
NMVTRC executive director Ray Carroll said older model vehicles were more likely to be targeted in the past because they lacked adequate security such as an Australian standards-approved immobiliser.
“Recently, however, we have seen a shift towards theft of newer model cars by the thief gaining access to the keys,” Mr Carroll said.
“Increasingly this is occurring via house burglary. Our advice to motorists, therefore, is to safeguard your keys.
“We recommend that people keep their keys away from windows and external doors where they are easily visible to would-be thieves and to never leave a spare set of keys lying around.”
Mr Carroll said more security tips for motorists were available at carsecuritybeginsathome.com.
