A steady decline in the number of passenger/light vehicle (PLV) thefts has been recorded over the past year, but motorcycle thefts are rising, according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

Vehicle thefts cost the insurance industry $69 million in the June 2008 quarter, with the average claim $10,344.

There were 57,316 PLV thefts recorded for 2007/08, which is a 7.9% reduction on the previous year. But motorcycle thefts have increased in the same period by 16%. In the June quarter alone they rose 28%.

The ACT again experienced the largest theft reduction of 27% from the previous quarter, followed by WA with a 14% drop, and NSW and Queensland down 4%.

Victoria experienced a 2.9% increase in thefts for the quarter. There were “minor” increases in SA and Tasmania.

The Holden Commodore remains the number one target of choice for profit-motivated thieves, followed by the Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi Lancer.