Motor vehicle thefts have risen for the first time in a decade. Some 57,540 vehicles were stolen last year – a 2% increase on the year before, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

On average, 158 motor vehicles were stolen each day during 2011.

Council Executive Director Ray Carroll says it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for the rise.

“It could be subject to the state of the economy… things that we’ve no control over,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says the rise is due directly to significantly more thefts in Queensland and WA.

“It is remarkable when you look at the state-by-state comparison,” he said. “We are wondering if the demographics have changed and whether the two-speed economy is impacting these two jurisdictions.”

He says insurance companies and police services are looking into the reasons for the increase, and youth unemployment could be a contributing factor.