OVERVIEW: REDUCING THE VOLUME OF
VEHICLE THEFT
The theft of older vehicles by youths
for transport or to commit another crime accounts for the overwhelming
volume of vehicle theft in Australia, with three out of every four
stolen vehicles falling into this category.
The NMVTRC’s strategies
to further reduce the VOLUME of
vehicle theft include the following measures:
- Facilitating individual state-based implementation plans for compulsory
immobilisation in jurisdictions where a clear cost-benefit case exists;
- Promoting effective security practices to the motor trades and
the general community;
- Promoting the integration of best practice diversionary programs
for young vehicle theft offenders into mainstream juvenile justice
programs; and
- Co-ordinating the delivery of public awareness campaigns, including
how to minimise the risk of theft of property from vehicles.
The countermeasures to defeat high volume
thefts are less interrelated than measures to reduce the cost of theft
and centre on making older vehicles more secure by fitting engine immobilisers
and diverting young high rate thieves from re-offending.
