Car thefts are down around the country, and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) can take a bow. Insurance Council of Australia Executive Director Alan Mason says the drop in thefts can be attributed to the success of the NMVTRC’s projects, and gave it a few million dollars more to continue the good work.

Mr Mason said the insurance industry will provide $3.45 million as part of its continuing commitment to the NMVTRC until 2006. So far the insurers have committed about $8 million to reducing vehicle theft.

NMVTRC initiatives include a program which re-directs young car thieves to vocational training, advertising campaigns and the spray painting of car parts with microdot vehicle identification numbers.

Last year 109,000 vehicles were stolen nationally, which is 23% down on 2001. NSW recorded 8,800 stolen cars in the last three months of 2002, with a recovery rate of about 73%.

NMVTRC Executive Director Ray Carroll says 27,400 fewer thefts were recorded during 2002 than in 2001, “equating to 75 fewer vehicle thefts per day”.