Adelaide drivers most concerned about car thefts, which are happening more at houses rather than the street

Most South Australians are concerned about cars being stolen from the street – but a reform group warns that more thieves are breaking into homes to steal them.

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Adelaide drivers are the nation’s most concerned about having their car stolen and three out of five believe this will mostly likely happen when left on the street.

But Australia’s leading vehicle theft-reform group says this highlights a continuing misconception about the safety of driveways over streets.

SA’s peak motoring body says modern car technology has prompted thieves to break into people’s homes.

A National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council consumer perceptions survey shows 21 per cent of 1063 Adelaide respondents were “very concerned” about having their car stolen. This is compared with the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne, where 18 per cent of respondents shared the same level of concern.

The survey also shows 61 per cent of Adelaide respondents – the highest in the nation – believe their car was most likely to be stolen from the street as opposed to their homes (15 per cent).

Most respondents thought their car would more likely be stolen from the street than the driveway. (File image)

“Although perceptions are slowly changing, the results still highlight a misconception among a high number of motorists about the risk of parking in the street versus a driveway,” the survey summary found.

“Given the high proportion of thefts from the home, it is important … to use community messaging to highlight the fact that cars are mostly stolen from homes or driveways.”

Latest police figures show theft and illegal use of motor vehicle offences across the state have increased 25 per cent from 3487 to 4375 in the 12 months to February this year.

The number of thefts from motor vehicles jumped 19 per cent from 9881 to 11,790 over the same one-year period.

A teenage thief was arrested on Tuesday for breaking into a Kensington Park home, where he and an accomplice stole a Mercedes-Benz sedan.

It was found abandoned on Dudley St at Mansfield Park.

A 17-year-old youth was charged with numerous offences, including aggravated serious criminal trespass and illegal use of a motor vehicle.

Police were still seeking the other offender.

RAA spokesman Mark Borlace said the best method of protecting your car was to protect your house. “We can’t afford the luxury any more of just hanging our keys inside the front door,” Mr Borlace said. “When cars were on the street, you could knock them off without the keys. Now they go for them wherever they are and they have to get the keys.”

Originally published as Adelaide drivers most concerned about car thefts, which are happening more at houses rather than the street