The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research released its latest data on crime today, car thefts showed a large increase of 34.5% in the last 5 years in the Northern Rivers.

From April 2018 to March 2019 there were 481 motor vehicle thefts while from April 22 to March 23 there were 647 thefts. Thefts were down, as was most crime during the COVID years.

The only other area with a larger percentage increase was New England and North West up 67.2%. Greater Sydney saw a reduction by 16%.

The only good news is that the statewide recovery rate is 66% and uniformly higher in Regional NSW meaning thieves are stealing cars for joyriding or transport purposes.

As for the offenders, they are overwhelmingly male and in Regional NSW, young males under 18 have seen the largest increase (41%) making it 1% under adult males at 42%.

The report said, "The population group with the largest increase in legal actions is clearly young people in Regional NSW (up 179% from the year to March 2019 to the year to March 2023) followed by young people in Greater Sydney (up 52%). In fact, the increase in legal actions against young people for vehicle theft in Regional NSW accounts for 56% of the total increase in legal actions in the last five years." 

The type of vehicles that are being stolen relates to the number of cars sold so Toyota, Ford and Holden, however, when you look at the largest increase in the last 5 years the cars were Kia, Jeep and Landrover.

Superintendent of the Richmond Police District Scott Tanner told the Lismore App that most car thefts are opportunistic in the Northern Rivers.

"We have seen an increase in crime with a lot based around young people. You would be surprised at how many thefts are from people leaving the keys inside the car and leaving it unlocked."

"Another common pattern is thieves breaking into a house, taking the car keys then taking the car for a joyride. People should secure their keys, even if they are in their house. Don't leave them on the kitchen bench."

"We do have a lot of engagement with young people. We partner with the PCYC to try and break the pattern and keep offenders and potential offenders out of the system."

"In a lot of cases, the family environment is not stable and young offenders don't have responsible peers around them. Social Media also plays its part as the offenders are quick to load up their exploits. We are working with various platforms to block this type of content or have it taken down straight away."