Vehicle thefts in Australia continued to rise in the first quarter of this year, with the numbers up 8% on the December 2011 quarter, according to the latest statistics from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

A total of 11,268 vehicles were stolen for short-term use, of which 89% were passenger/light commercial (PLC) vehicles, 8% were motorcycles and 3% other types of vehicle.

Most states saw an increase in the theft of PLC vehicles, with considerable increases in Victoria (12%) and WA (14%).

A total of 4814 vehicles were stolen for profit in the quarter, an increase of 11% on the last quarter of last year.