Motor vehicle theft has fallen more than 60% since 2001, with the drop almost 70% in NSW, latest figures show.

Research from the insurance industry-backed National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC), based on 2012/13 data, suggests a youth-focused strategy may be the key to cutting the number of offences.

Young people commit most vehicle thefts, with the latest NSW offender data revealing a strong correlation between the decline in crimes and the arrest of young offenders.

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data shows the number of people arrested for motor vehicle theft has fallen “dramatically” since 2001, in line with the decline in thefts.

Of the 16,129 vehicles stolen in NSW in 2013, about 66% were considered short-term thefts and about 33% profit-motivated. This compares with 84% and 16% respectively in 2001. 

The number of arrests in the 15-17 and 18-20 age groups correlates with theft rates falling by 70%. Despite the decline, people aged 15-20 still had the highest offence rates in 2012, accounting for half of all motor vehicle theft offenders.

“Maintaining a focus on responses to youth offending is a vital part of securing the hard-won gains in vehicle theft,” the NMVTRC says.

“Assisting young offenders to choose a non-offending lifestyle and ensuring young people at risk are exposed to realistic and engaging educational resources on the consequences of car theft remain core aims of the NMVTRC’s overall strategy.”