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Theft Watch - Calendar year 2017

Issue 65 - March 2018

Overview

Total national theft in the twelve months to December was 7% less than the preceding twelve months.

The decrease was largely a result of a 15% fall in short-term heavy/other vehicle theft. Profit motivated PLC theft fell 4%.

Queensland has had a significant increase of 10% which has been off-set by continuing improvement in Victoria.

The nation's total theft is down 8% compared to five years ago with a total of 52,858 vehicles stolen.

For a more detailed analysis of current theft trends be sure to check out our interactive dashboard.

Key Findings

  • 9,787 vehicles were stolen and recovered in Victoria, making up 38% of all short term PLC theft.
  • NSW followed with 7,419 short term PLCs stolen representing 22% of the nation's total theft.
  • 33% of all profit-motivated PLC theft (2,981) also occurred in Victoria.
  • Short term theft increased by 14% in Queensland and a marginal 1% in NSW.
  • WA had the highest percentage increase in profit motivated theft with 6%.
  • Thefts over the same period are down in NSW (16%), SA (17%) & WA (9%).
There were - vehicles stolen in Australia during calendar year 2017

All motor vehicles

Other vehicles icon Passenger and light commercial vehicles icon Motorcycle icon
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Passenger/light commercials

Passenger and light commercial vehicles icon
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Motorcycles

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Other motor vehicles

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Top 5 Passenger/light commercial vehicle theft targets in Australia during calendar year 2017
State or Territory Make model series year range 2017
AUS Holden Commodore VE MY06_13 908
AUS Nissan Pulsar N15 MY95_00 747
AUS Toyota Hilux MY05_11 596
AUS Ford Falcon BA MY02_05 577
AUS Holden Commodore VY MY02_04 558
Top 5 Local Government Areas (LGA) for Passenger/light commercial vehicle thefts in Australia during calendar year 2017
State or Territory LGA 2017
QLD Brisbane (City) 2,118
QLD Gold Coast (City) 1,375
ACT Greater ACT 1,170
QLD Logan (City) 906
VIC Hume (City) 837
Number and percent of PLC thefts in Australia by estimated value at time of theft, during calendar year 2017

State and Territory comparison - Passenger/light commercial vehicle theft

Number of PLC thefts during calendar year 2017
PLC short term thefts (five year trend to December)
PLC profit-motivated thefts (five year trend to December)

For a more detailed analysis of current theft trends be sure to check out our interactive dashboard

Short term thefts are defined as motor vehicles that were stolen and recovered, profit motivated thefts were those stolen and not recovered. If the number of thefts for the current or previous period is less than 50, the percent change is not calculated. Recovery status is as at 31 January 2018 for all states/territories except for TAS which is at 31 December 2017.

Recovery data used in this report has been adjusted for the number of missing vehicles that are expected to be recovered up to a year after the close of the data period. This adjustment has the effect of moving number of thefts from the profit motivated (not recovered category) to the short term (recovered category).

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) acknowledges all police services, registration authorities, participating insurers, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Glass’s Information Services and Insurance Australia Group for the supply of the data on which this report is complied. Theft incident data may be subject to later revision by the data providers. This work is copyright. Material may be reproduced for personal, non-commercial use or for use within your organisation with attribution to the NMVTRC (www.carsafe.com.au). © 2018 NMVTRC. All rights reserved.

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