The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council says a “changing youth culture” has contributed to a drop in stolen cars, but thieves are still targeting older cars for “black market” trade.

Figures show an overall 11 % drop in short-term thefts for passenger and light commercial vehicles, which equates to 34,319 that have been stolen and later recovered.

Significant reductions in vehicle theft were recorded in most states, with WA and SA leading the way with a 16% drop. This was followed closely by Victoria and NSW seeing a 12% reduction. Queensland recorded a 7% decrease.

Only the NT and Tasmania experienced a slight increase. The council says this is due to smaller areas often seeing “large fluctuations” because of relatively small baselines.

Executive Director Ray Carroll says theft numbers have continued to steadily drop in the past decade, thanks to a combination of factors such as the increasing number of immobilisers fitted to cars and a change in policing methods.

“Police are now changing their focus to targeting recidivist high-rate offenders,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “There are a small number who steal lots and lots of cars.”

Mr Carroll also believes there has been a distinct cultural shift in young peoples’ activities. “Stealing cars is becoming a less-accepted thing to do.”

The council’s figures show that older model cars are still the most attractive choice for short-term and profit-motivated thefts, with two-thirds of those stolen being manufactured before 2000.

He says older cars are being stolen for their parts and sold on the black market. This has become more apparent since the tightening of government regulations around car “rebirthing”.