Motor vehicle theft rose 7% nationally in the year to September, with Brisbane and the Gold Coast the top two locations targeted by criminals stealing passenger and light commercial cars.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) says motorcycle theft jumped 12%, while an increase of 9% was reported for heavy vehicles.

Theft of passenger and light commercial vehicles, the largest category, rose 6%. Top models targeted included the Holden Commodore VE, Toyota Hilux and Nissan Pulsar.

The five-year trend for short-term passenger and light commercial thefts shows improvements in NSW and Western Australia, while Queensland’s theft volume doubled. Other jurisdictions remained stable.

The trend for profit-motivated theft for the past five years also showed worse outcomes for Victoria, Queensland and SA, while NSW and WA improved.

The NMVTRC says it is working with stakeholders such as Queensland Police, RACQ and Suncorp on initiatives that will help motorists reduce theft risks, divert young offenders from crime and close loopholes that allow some older stolen vehicles to be traded as scrap metal.

A total of 56,846 vehicles were stolen during the 12-month period.