COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Sub-program B: Reducing the Volume of Theft

Approach B2: Promoting Secure Practices in the Community

Background

While the public profile of vehicle theft and security has increased over recent years, many Australians still fail to understand the true dynamics of the crime.

The NMVTRC has conducted media and public education campaigns since its inception and consistently monitored public attitudes to vehicle theft. The ongoing challenge is to develop fresh and innovative ways to encourage regular media reporting of theft issues and make use of existing channels of information – via stakeholders such as local government and motoring groups – to supplement its own activities.

Work Program

Six-monthly Community Surveys - ongoing

Since 1999, the NMVTRC has regularly surveyed motorists’ attitudes to vehicle theft on a quarterly basis. The survey information is used to monitor the performance of the NMVTRC’s public education campaigns and to inform proposed strategies or proposals, such as compulsory immobilisation, that impact on the public.

Public Education Materials - ongoing

The NMVTRC's range of public education materials was originally developed to support the Immobilise Now! program and to respond to the common myths and misunderstandings about vehicle theft amongst Australia’s motoring population. These were supported by a series of community service announcements and the youth targeted Spur of the Moment comic, animation and Educators Kit.

These materials are available in bulk to stakeholders for distribution as part of their own public education campaigns.  Click here for our range of public education brochures.

Stakeholder Communication - ongoing

Maintaining effective communication with stakeholders is essential for the NMVTRC to integrate with and add value to state and territory, or locally based, vehicle security activities. Key elements of the NMVTRC’s stakeholder communications include:

Click here to access the NMVTRC’s publications or subscribe to our stakeholder mailing list.

Media Liaison - ongoing

On average, the issue of vehicle theft generates more than 2,000 media references each year and the NMVTRC features in around one-quarter of these. NMVTRC vehicle theft data and “expert comment” are also disseminated through the media by many of our stakeholder organisations.

Working with Local Government - ongoing

The NMVTRC’s revised Guide for Local Communities was released in 2004 to assist locally based crime prevention practitioners to implement effective vehicle theft prevention strategies.  The Guide was provided to over 600 local councils across Australia and twenty were offered access to an Operation Bounce Back grant package to undertake a local theft prevention program.

Next Steps

The NMVTRC will continue to monitor consumer attitudes, refine its public education and stakeholder communication materials, generate media activity and seek opportunities to work with its stakeholders on public education initiatives.