Rising number of incidents of car thefts on NSW’s south coast

“Opportunistic thieves” are taking advantage on the state’s south coast, with the region experiencing a rise in car theft incidents. One resident spoke of the horror of realising her car had been stolen from her driveway.

Cars are being stolen across the south coast, with statistics indicating an increase in the theft. Pictures: Facebook.

South coast towns are experiencing an increase in car thefts, with statistics indicating they are on the rise.

The Eurobodalla Shire has seen cars stolen in towns from Sunshine Bay to Moruya, with south coast police blaming the increase on “opportunistic thieves”.

Jenny Tegant from Batemans Bay and her daughter, Bridget, had their cars stolen from their driveway last week.

Ms Tegant said it was a “terrifying experience”.

“They managed to open our window near the front door and grab the keys,” she said.

Jenny Tegant and her daughter had their cars stolen in Batemans Bay. Picture: Facebook.

The following morning, police found Ms Tegant’s car ditched in Mogo. “They clearly took it for a joy ride,” she said.

However, her daughter faced a far worse outcome. “The next day Bridget’s car was found completely destroyed,” Ms Tegant said. “It was written off on the spot.

“We’re working with insurance to get Bridget’s car replaced and I am having new keys and locks fitted to mine.”

Capital Region car theft data from January 2021 to December 2022. Picture: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics.

Police conducted fingerprinting in the house and on the vehicles. Investigations into the theft are ongoing.

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research indicate a steady rise in incidents of car thefts in the Capital Region (which includes the Eurobodalla Shire) within the past two years.

Between January 2021 to December 2022, there were 586 incidents of stolen vehicles between Canberra, Goulburn, and the entirety of the Eurobodalla Shire.

Shoalhaven car theft data from January 2021 to December 2022. Picture: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics.

There are currently no figures on how many cars have been stolen so far this year, however graphs indicate a growing rise in the region.

In the northern part of the Shoalhaven area, incidents of car theft were on the steady decline.

Between January 2021 and December 2022, the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands saw 336 incidents of vehicles being stolen. Data suggests a large decline in car thefts in the area from since December last year.

A Broulee resident had their car stolen in Broulee. Picture: Facebook.

A South Coast Police District spokesman said a large contributor to cars being stolen was the thieves access to keys.

“In the majority of cases where vehicles are stolen, or have had things stolen from them, involved the key either being in the vehicle, the vehicle was unlocked or the keys were within an unlocked home,” they said.

“With the vehicles you’ve seen stolen on Facebook, we would encourage the owners to make a report to their local police so officers can investigate and track down their cars and hold those responsible.

“Opportunistic thieves will look for cars with valuable items inside or with keys inside.”

The spokesman said police had successfully located and returned the “majority” of stolen vehicles in the shire.

“Police are reminding locals to lock their vehicles and not leave anything valuable in them, to deter opportunistic thieves. Don’t give opportunistic thieves any reason to go through your vehicle.”