Preventing vehicle thefts that meet the rising demand for parts and scrap metal is a key aim of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council’s (NMVTRC) 2013-2016 strategic plan.

Such thefts are undermining legitimate businesses that buy older cars, are linked to organised crime and have environmental costs, the council says.

“The mishandling of these vehicles has a whole lot of detrimental impacts on the community that are really under the radar,” Executive Director Ray Carroll told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Thieves are increasingly stealing cars for usable parts after strengthening of the registration system has made car “rebirthing” more difficult.

The NMVTRC also plans to launch an accident repair training venture in Melbourne with employment service Mission Australia and Suncorp, as part of a project to provide education and work opportunities for young offenders.

Most people caught for short-term vehicle theft are males aged 14 to 20.

“It is well known that if you can get some of the young guys who have gone the wrong way into skilled employment, that is the most effective way of getting them to turn their lives around,” Mr Carroll said.

Participants will gain experience repairing cars with minor panel damage, potentially leading to certificate-level qualifications and apprenticeships. The venture aims to be self-funding through commercial activities.

There were 42,693 short-term vehicle thefts last year, up 4% on 2011, according to council data. But thefts fell 9% in the three months to March 31 compared with the December quarter.

It is too early to say if the first quarter represents an improving trend after last year’s increase amid a difficult economic climate, Mr Carroll says.

“In tough times, when people are losing their jobs and there is a depressed second-hand car market, the temptation for insurance fraud rises as well.”