Fewer vehicles were stolen nationally in the year to March as Victoria, which at one time accounted for one-third of thefts, recorded a sharp decline.

The number of vehicles stolen in the year fell 8% to 52,417, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council says.

Victoria performed best, down 23%, followed by WA (8%) and SA (7%).

Queensland recorded a 6% rise in vehicles stolen and NSW 1%.

Among the smaller jurisdictions, NT declined by 264 thefts and Tasmania by 135 thefts.

Thieves took 42,101 passenger and light commercial vehicles nationally, down 9%.