Vehicle thefts across Australia jumped 10% last year, led by increases in Victoria and Queensland, according to new industry data.

Some 56,967 thefts occurred, compared with 51,939 the previous year, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) says.

Victorian theft numbers increased by a remarkable 26.5%, followed by Queensland with a 19.1% gain. NSW recorded a 7.3% decline.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast were the most targeted areas, followed in Victoria by the Hume, Casey and Greater Geelong local government areas.

“Despite the national increase, total theft volumes are still 5% lower than five years ago,” the NMVTRC says.

By vehicle type, last year’s increase was led by a 13% gain in short-term passenger and light commercial thefts, while profit-motivated theft in that category also increased, by 6%.

Thieves proved active in the final three months of the year, with national thefts rising 4.6% compared with the September quarter.