Car thieves in SA police sights

Almost 1000 vehicles in South Australia were stolen for the purpose of rebirthing, parts or scrap last financial year, prompting a new bid to tackle commercial car theft.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, SA Police and Crime Stoppers have teamed up for a three-pronged attack that includes a dedicated phone-in day today for callers to help stall motor vehicle theft.

Crime Stoppers SA chair Sharon Hanlon said in 2013/14 nearly 1000 vehicles in South Australia were believed stolen and converted to profit through rebirthing, sale of parts or scrap metal.

She said many of these vehicles were never recovered and the thieves never caught.

Theft-for-scrap rackets and dismantling of older vehicles for parts were emerging as a replacement for traditional whole vehicle re-birthing activities

"Profit-motivated vehicle thefts affect hundreds of South Australians every year, and while it is great to see theft numbers slowly declining and new technologies being introduced to make it harder for thieves, it is important to remain vigilant," Ms Hanlon said.

"Organised crime groups are profiting at the community's expense by stealing vehicles of all value and types, and this campaign offers an opportunity for people to provide information about those involved in profit-motivated vehicle theft activity."

National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council executive director Ray Carroll said that theft-for-scrap rackets and dismantling of older vehicles for parts were emerging as a replacement for traditional whole vehicle re-birthing activities.

"With almost seven in 10 missing vehicles valued at less than $10,000, it can be assumed that they are most likely stripped for parts or scrap metal for the domestic and increasingly export markets," Mr Carroll said.

National data compiled by the council shows that the total number of incidents believed to be profit-motivated thefts increased by 4 per cent in 2014 to a total of 10,960.

Toyota Hilux utes manufactured between 2005 and 2011 were the most stolen cars

Of these, only 1111 of the vehicles stolen were less than five years old. Large passenger vehicles remain the most popular target of profit-motivated theft, representing just under a quarter of vehicles stolen and not recovered in 2014.

This is compared to small passenger vehicles, which represented one in five thefts.

Toyota Hilux utes manufactured between 2005 and 2011 were the most stolen cars with 318 thefts, followed by the Holden Commodore VT, with 237 thefts.

Ms Hanlon said every call today could help disrupt organised vehicle theft activity.

"Callers can remain anonymous and rewards are available," she said.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.