Tackling Vehicle Theft
a guide for local communities
CONTENTS
Tab Number
Introduction 1
Vehicle Theft: An Entrenched Culture 2
Opportunity Knocks
NMVTRC: Reducing Vehicle Theft in Australia
Local Level Theft Prevention 3
Three Crucial Elements: Immobilisers, Keys and Young People
Immobilisers: Stopping Theft Before it Starts
Protect Your Keys: Protect Your Car
Young People: Stealing for Kicks
Local Theft Prevention Programs: Some Tips
Get it in Print
The Importance of Partnerships
The Police
Other Partners
NMVTRC Resources Available to Local Campaigns 4
Printed Materials Available in Bulk
Other Printed Materials
Statistics
NMVTRC Newsletters
CAR-Safe Immobilise Now! Keeping the Benefits Local
Ideas for Local Theft Prevention Initiatives 5
A Word About Evaluation
Need Further Information?
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INTRODUCTION
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Australia has an entrenched culture of vehicle theft. Almost
100,000 vehicles are stolen each year and with the associated
insurance, policing and justice costs totalling over $1 billion
annually, vehicle theft is a major social and economic issue.
The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) is a
joint initiative of all Australian governments and the insurance
industry. A not-for-profit organisation, the NMVTRC’s role is to drive
down Australia’s unacceptable level of vehicle theft. The NMVTRC 1
is working with police, justice and registration authorities, motor
trades, motoring clubs, insurers and vehicle manufacturers, to:
• make vehicles more difficult to steal;
• close the regulatory and procedural loopholes that professional
thieves currently exploit; and
• divert potential young offenders away from vehicle theft.
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The consequences of vehicle theft are felt strongly by local
communities. Vehicle theft and home burglary go hand in hand —
stolen vehicles are often used to transport stolen property. Too
frequently car theft results in extensive damage to property and
sometimes,tragically, in the injury or death of innocent road users.
The NMVTRC maintains a national campaign to educate the public
and promote safe practices, aimed at reducing the incidence of
vehicle theft. At a local level, councils, chambers of commerce and
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economic development bodies, crime prevention and community
safety groups, and other community based organisations perform a
vital role in complementing the national strategies. Local
organisations can be particularly influential in dispelling commonly
held myths about car theft and educating motorists on how they
can avoid becoming a victim.
The Guide to Tackling Car Theft is a starting point for local
organisations interested in tackling vehicle theft. It provides facts
about the problem, identifies some of the resources available to 1
local groups and lists ideas for activities that can be undertaken
effectively at the local level.
The guide has been prepared by NMVTRC in conjunction with police
and local government crime prevention officers.
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Photo: Steven Siewart/Fairfaxphotos
VEHICLE THEFT: AN ENTRENCHED CULTURE
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Australia has an entrenched culture of number of old and unsecured vehicles on Almost 100,000 vehicles are reported stolen
vehicle theft fuelled by the absence of the nation’s roads, and a ‘car culture’ which each year in Australia. This equates to one
adequate transport alternatives in many is particularly strong amongst young males. theft for every seventy households or 270
Australian suburbs and towns, the high thefts each day.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
From hard core criminals who rebirth cars for in Australia were manufactured before 1990 Most cars stolen by opportunistic thieves
profit to opportunists who want temporary but vehicles of this age comprise only are eventually recovered, often within a day
transport, there are a range of players and 35 per cent of the registered vehicle fleet. or two, and usually with substantial
motivations involved in vehicle theft. Armed with simple tools — for example, a mechanical and collision damage. Others are
coat hanger and a screwdriver — a thief found with vandalised interiors and some
In Australia, around three quarters of stolen
with even the most basic knowledge of have been burnt in an attempt to remove
cars are taken by opportunistic thieves. A
motor cars can simply hot-wire an traces of fingerprints or DNA.
small number of these thefts will involve
unsecured vehicle and drive it away.
newer vehicles fitted with sophisticated All too often, erratically driven stolen cars
security and stolen simply because the thief Opportunists are most commonly young have caused accidents in which the thief,
has access to the keys. In the main however males and their motivations include their passenger or innocent bystanders have
it is older cars, with little (if any) security, joyriding, the need or desire for transport, been maimed or killed.
that account for the bulk of thefts. and the need for a vehicle to aid other
*that is certified as meeting AS/NZS 4601:1999
crimes such as home burglary or the
Unless secured with a quality after-market
purchase of drugs. A small number of
engine immobiliser*, older vehicles are
opportunists are known to steal vehicles
particularly vulnerable to opportunists. For
specifically to use in street drags and other
example, over 60 per cent of vehicles stolen
high risk illegal activities.
NMVTRC: REDUCING VEHICLE THEFT IN AUSTRALIA
The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction to both the problem and the potential solutions. The NMVTRC is funded by all Australian
Council (NMVTRC) was established in 1999 governments and the Insurance Council of
A real and sustained reduction in vehicle
by all Australian governments and the Australia. Its Board includes senior
theft can only occur with a coordinated,
insurance industry upon the representatives of the peak national bodies
national program of reform to address the
recommendation of a national taskforce. The for police services, transport and justice
public and private sector processes and
formation of the NMVTRC is a departure agencies, motor manufacturers, insurers,
infrastructure inadequacies which have
from the traditional view of vehicle theft as motor trades and motoring associations.
allowed the problem to flourish. The
a ‘police problem’ and its operational model
NMVTRC provides this coordinating function.
recognises the contribution of other players
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LOCAL LEVEL THEFT PREVENTION
The NMVTRC is working with national and desire for transport. Making these vehicles impossible to ‘crack’.
state and territory based stakeholders to — older cars without immobilisers and ones
Immobilisers became mandatory equipment
generate the commitment and partnerships left unattended with the keys in the ignition
on all new passenger vehicles sold in
necessary to bring about lower levels of — more difficult to steal removes the
Australia from July 2001. Some vehicle
theft. Although limited in its ability to opportunity for theft to occur.
models produced since the early 1990s
participate in on-the-ground activities, the
Regular community surveys undertaken by were fitted with an immobiliser as standard 3
NMVTRC recognises the influential role of
the NMVTRC indicate that members of the equipment. The reliability of these earlier
local stakeholders in preventing opportunistic
public find vehicle security a perplexing devices varied however with some requiring
theft and provides a range of data and
issue. Nobody wants to be a victim of theft manual arming and including an override
resources to support their campaigns.
but cutting through the clutter of products feature that can be exploited by thieves.
At a broader level, local government is often and promises in the vehicle security market
After market devices that meet the
able to integrate Crime Prevention Through is simply too much for most people to
Australian/New Zealand Standard for Vehicle
Environmental Design principles — a well bother with.
Immobilisers 4601:1999 provide the most
established theory which draws a relationship
The communication of two simple and effective security available for vehicles not
between the incidence of crime and the
straightforward messages — fitted with an immobiliser as standard
design of the physical environment — into
immobilisers work and vehicle keys equipment, including those older vehicles
local settings and new developments.
must be protected — provides motorists that are traditionally most vulnerable to theft.
At a more direct level, local government,
with the solutions they need to slash their These devices will deter all but the most
community crime prevention organisations,
risk of falling victim to vehicle thieves. determined of professional thieves.
schools and other local groups are best
placed to provide crime prevention advice All immobilisers that meet the Australian
IMMOBILISERS: STOPPING
and education to their communities. Standard are self-arming. This means that
THEFT BEFORE IT STARTS
the immobiliser is automatically activated
An engine immobiliser is an electronic when the ignition is turned off. The Standard
THREE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS: device that interrupts the power supply to was developed by industry experts, ensuring
IMMOBILISERS, KEYS AND two or more systems required to start a that the immobiliser cannot be easily
YOUNG PEOPLE vehicle’s engine. Unless the correct overcome by thieves and will not affect the
electronic signal is provided by the ignition safe operation of the vehicle.
Combating opportunistic theft relies on
key and transponder, the vehicle will not
motorists securing their vehicle. Refer ‘Carsafe Immobilise Now! Keeping the
start. The signal to de-activate the system
Opportunistic thieves find unsecured, easy Benefits Local’ section for further details.
changes constantly, making it virtually
to steal cars to fulfil their immediate need or
One in every seventy Australian households had a
vehicle stolen in the last 12 months.
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PROTECT YOUR CAR: PROTECT A good way for motorists to think of their Targeting the broader range of kids who are
YOUR KEYS vehicle’s keys is as a wad of cash. If a occasional thieves, have friends who steal
vehicle is worth $10,000, $20,000 or cars or find themselves under pressure from
An extremely small percentage of vehicles
$30,000 then that is potentially the value of their peers to get into a stolen car is more
that are fitted with immobilisers will
its keys to a thief. likely to be effective at the local level. The
unfortunately be stolen: research indicates
NMVTRC’s Spur of the Moment resources
that immobilisers are fitted to around YOUNG PEOPLE: STEALING FOR says to these kids, in a way that they can
45 per cent of vehicles but only 9 per cent of KICKS relate to, that stealing a car has serious
stolen vehicles. Most of these thefts occur
Young people who steal cars for kicks or consequences. The resources — a comic,
because the thief obtained access to the
simply for transport account for the largest an animated short film CD and an Educators’
original key left in or near the vehicle by the
proportion of vehicle theft in Australia. A Kit — were developed by Streetwize
owner, or by home or workplace break-in.
relatively small number of young people who Communications, Australia’s leading
An engine immobiliser is only effective if the dabble in stealing cars become high-rate developer and producer of information on
thief does not have the device’s coded key recidivist offenders and some become social issues for young people.
or transponder which is most commonly suppliers of vehicles to the illicit market. The The Educators’ Kit can be adapted to focus
kept on the vehicle’s key ring. It is estimated majority however simply ‘grow out’ of on specific youth issues such as decision
that key access is responsible for around 70 offending. making, peer pressure and risk-taking
per cent of immobilised vehicle thefts and
Addressing youth offending is vital to behaviour and can be used by teachers to fit
incidents where the key has actually been
reducing opportunistic theft. The NMVTRC’s into school curricula, or as a discussion tool
left in the vehicle’s ignition comprise a
best practice model for young recidivist by community educators, youth workers,
significant proportion of these. Police report
offender programs engages young people in youth justice workers and juvenile detention
that incidents of theft from petrol station
‘hands-on’ mechanical training while workers. The kit contains a comic which is
driveways, where the key is left in the
equipping them with the skills and support available separately, in bulk, for distribution
ignition while the motorist pays the cashier,
needed to leave their offending lifestyles to schools and other youth facilities.
are common. So too is theft from car
dealerships or car rental firms where keys behind. A comprehensive and effective
may be left in vehicles for convenience. program costs around $350,000 per annum
to operate and the documented model and
In other theft incidents keys have been business plan is available to stakeholders
stolen from bags or jacket pockets at the wishing to do so.
gym, or picked up from a bar, restaurant
table or a range of other places.
Older model cars not fitted with an engine
immobiliser are the most common theft targets.
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LOCAL CAR THEFT Australian Standard compliant immobiliser the local area, their endorsement provides
can be defeated at the roadside by an credibility and their on-the-ground
PREVENTION PROGRAMS:
opportunist.” involvement heightens the visible presence
SOME TIPS of the police in the community, a crime
Ask a respected community leader such
prevention strategy in itself.
GET IT IN PRINT as the mayor, a councillor or a local police
officer to be the “front person” for your Several local councils have noted the
The local press provides an opportunity to
press release (but make sure you provide positive response and high level of interest
reach the people in your area. Most local
them with background notes so they are that uniformed police (and to some extent
newspapers are willing to report a well-
not caught off guard!). uniformed parking officers) have generated
prepared press release. Publications put out
when involved in their car theft prevention
by organisations such as the local council, The NMVTRC, Australia’s peak body for
activities. The police are in a unique position
the library, community centre, gym or motor vehicle theft issues, can provide
of being able to identify and contact vehicle
chamber of commerce are worth local statistics and a quote to include in
owners. In some areas, police and
approaching to run an article on car theft to appropriate press releases.
community volunteers have undertaken car
reach the people who use and park at their Don’t create more ‘information’ clutter – park audits to identify vehicles with
facilities. cut through it by being specific. For unlocked doors or valuables left in them
TIPS FOR A ‘THEFT PREVENTION’ example, call an immobiliser an with follow-up theft-prevention information
PRESS RELEASE: ‘immobiliser’, not an ‘anti-theft device’. being sent to the vehicle owners.
As well as promoting your local theft One or two statistics can make a point:
any more creates confusion.
OTHER PARTNERS
prevention campaign, a press release
provides an opportunity to inform your The nature of your local program will
If you can supply a photograph or set up a
community about the solutions to determine who the suitable partners might
photo opportunity to accompany your
vehicle theft as well as the problem. be. Other potential partners include:
release, do.
Vehicle theft is the problem: engine The NMVTRC’s CARSAFE immobiliser
immobilisers and key security are the If the reporter follows up the release by installers (see ‘our resources’)
solutions. phone rather than meeting with you in
local schools and other educational
person, it is worth confirming the details institutions
Counteract myths about vehicle theft in of your conversation or the important
your release. Most people think that points with them by fax or e-mail. youth organisations
nobody would want to steal their “old Neighbourhood Watch
bomb” but, in reality, older vehicles are
the most popular target. Another popular THE IMPORTANCE OF the local Council
myth is that most car thieves are PARTNERSHIPS local media
professional and highly organised so “if insurers
they want my car, they’ll get it”. “The THE POLICE
local vehicle registration authority offices
facts are that the majority of vehicles are Any organisation or group with an interest in
motor car dealers and others involved in
stolen by opportunists and the most creating a safer community is a potential the motor trades locally
effective form of security to deter these program partner. The local police however
thieves is an engine immobiliser. There is shopping centre management
are the most important partner because committees; or
no evidence that a properly installed they are best placed to understand crime in
chambers of commerce and industry.
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Photo: Kate Geraghty/Fairfaxphotos
NMVTRC RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
The NMVTRC provides a range of resources, Best Practice Model and Business opportunistic theft by securing as many
free of charge, to support local vehicle theft Plan for a Young Recidivist Car Theft vehicles as possible with affordable,
prevention initiatives, including: Offender program. The NMVTRC’s Australian Standard approved engine
documented model for a young theft immobilisers. Immobilisers fitted under the
PRINTED MATERIALS offenders’ program. The program is program are available for between $160 and
currently running under the name of U- $200, fully installed with a minimum two
AVAILABLE IN BULK Turn in Tasmania, Western Australia and year warranty. This is well below the usual
Car Safe Tips. A popular brochure Queensland. recommended retail price for a quality
featuring tips for preventing theft of product.
vehicles and theft from vehicles. STATISTICS Many local authorities have used Immobilise
Car Immobilisers. Our most popular The NMVTRC collects statistical detail on Now! as the basis for their own campaign
brochure for local distribution. Features every vehicle theft reported to Australian rather than dedicate resources to developing
information on theft, immobilisers and police. Data is collated quarterly (monthly another program. Publicity materials, an
who to contact to have a quality, low-cost data for some states) and can be provided existing network of qualified installers and a
immobiliser installed. on a Local Government Area, Statistical 24 hour freecall phone number providing
Local Area, or postcode basis. information about vehicle theft and details of
Buying a Used Vehicle. Information
installers are available under the Immobilise 4
brochure for second hand car buyers on Stakeholders can also access data on-line Now! program.
minimising the risk of buying a stolen by logging on to the NMVTRC’s website
vehicle. Appropriate for campaigns www.carsafe.com.au and following the Over 300 businesses across Australia are
targeting car buyers or for distribution prompts to CARS Analyser. registered Immobilise Now! installers. By
through registration authority offices and promoting a network of locally based
car dealerships. businesses, Immobilise Now! keeps the
NMVTRC NEWSLETTERS economic benefit of the program within the
Vehicle Theft with Force: the Facts.
Local crime prevention practitioners can be local community. Installers were initially
Tips for staying safe and minimising the
kept informed of vehicle theft trends and recruited in an open process with potential
risk of vehicle theft with force.
issues by subscribing to the NMVTRC’s participants contacted through motor trade
Spur of the Moment. A Streetwize stakeholder newsletters: Theft Watch and organisations and newspaper
Communications comic for young people Theft Torque. Subscribe by logging on to advertisements.
aged 12 and over. Four young joy riders www.carsafe.com.au. The NMVTRC is a not-for-profit organisation:
learn the tragic consequences of vehicle
it does not receive any income or other
theft.
CAR-SAFE IMMOBILISE consideration from Immobilise Now!
NOW! KEEPING THE Check with NMVTRC for other
OTHER PRINTED MATERIALS
BENEFITS LOCAL resources avaliable to support local
Spur of the Moment Educators’ Kit. campaigns.
Multiple use activity kit for teachers and Immobilise Now! is a public education
youth workers about the consequences of campaign and voluntary immobiliser
car theft. Includes a comic, a short program run by the NMVTRC under its CAR-
animated film (on CD) and suggested SAFE trademark.
educational activities. Available free-of- Immobilise Now! aims to reduce
charge in small quantities.
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IDEAS FOR LOCAL THEFT PREVENTION INITIATIVES
Local councils: provide a Know the Facts preventing theft to owners of unlocked Promote the Neighbourhood Watch Virtual
brochure with each newly issued parking vehicles or vehicles with valuables left in Car website. Log on to
permit. them. www.neighbourhoodwatch.com.au for a
user friendly tour providing tips on
Integrate vehicle theft prevention Set up a local program for young vehicle
securing your vehicle and information
education into Community Safety Week or theft offenders using the NMVTRC’s best
about immobilisers.
Month activities. practice program model (this would be a
long-term project requiring a range of Provide local schools and youth workers
Work with uniformed police and parking
stakeholders and significant financial with copies of the Spur of the Moment
officers to distribute CAR-SAFE brochures
resouces). Educators’ Kit.
to commuters at the local railway station.
Providing a display of information and free Work with local councils to erect signpost Join the NMVTRC’s mailing list to keep up
coffee will attract more people to the reminders to lock vehicles and not leave to date with statistics, trends and new
activity. valuables visible when parking. developments in the fight against vehicle
theft.
Stock local youth centres and libraries Provide copies of the Buying a Used
with the Spur of the Moment comic. Vehicle brochure to your local car Set a good example to the community by
dealerships for distribution to their protecting your group or organisation’s
Work with police and volunteers to
customers. vehicles against theft. For fleet vehicles,
organise an audit of a large commuter or
make sure that your organisation has a
shopping centre car park. (Always check Be aware of potential funding sources
system in place to know where its
with centre management first if auditing a from government, insurers and
vehicles are and to ensure that keys are
shopping centre.) Follow up with a philanthropic organisations for your theft
secured safely against theft when the
letter from the police including tips on prevention program.
vehicle is not in use.
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A WORD ABOUT EVALUATION
There are many good reasons for evaluating local theft prevention initiative. Just because organisation’s vehicle fleet; distributing
your local campaign and an abundance of the number of thefts in your local area did educational information to a large number or
evaluation literature and ‘how to’ guides not decline during your initiative does not targeted group of people; increasing the
available for practitioners. Evaluation can mean it was unsuccessful. While the overall number of immobilisers installed by local
define how well an initiative is working and goal of “reducing the number of vehicle CAR-SAFE installers; changes in community
identify ways that future campaigns might thefts” is a desirable outcome and is easy to awareness; creating opportunities for police
be improved. An evaluation might highlight measure using the NMVTRC’s CARS data, to be visible in the community; successfully
the need for further resources to be external factors that impact on theft, such getting together community groups and
allocated to the problem of theft in your as the age of the local vehicle fleet, are individuals that haven’t previously worked
area or the need for resources to be almost impossible to control at the local together.
allocated differently amongst the various level.
Sustainable theft reduction requires the
elements of your program.
More realistic evaluation measures commitment and persistence of a range of
It is worth bearing in mind the need to be might relate to, for example: improved stakeholders on all levels. Over time, your
realistic when measuring the success of a security practices for your own initiative will contribute to achieving this.
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NEED FURTHER
INFORMATION?
To order brochures or find out more about the
National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction
Council, the CAR-SAFE Immobilise Now!
campaign or vehicle theft in Australia:
Website: www.carsafe.com.au
E-mail: info@carsafe.com.au
Telephone: (03) 9348 9600
1300 668 410
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Tackling Vehicle Theft
a guide for local communities
Email info@carsafe.com.au
Internet www.carsafe.com.au
ISBN 1 876 704 27 6