Motor vehicle theft increases in the Northern Territory

Car theft is increasing in ‘fits and starts’ and police are warning Territorians not to underestimate the damage associated with the incidents.

Police are warning Territorians not to underestimate the damage and risk associated with motor vehicle theft.

Motor vehicle theft in the Territory was up 19.71 per cent in the 12 months to November but occurred in “fits and starts”.

NT Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Ginnane said incidents were “a lot more visible” because people are able to see the results of any related crimes they were used in.

He said stolen vehicles were often used in residential or commercial break ins.

“We had a number of incidents earlier on this year, where vehicles were stolen and used in ram raid activity to steal crossbows and other weapons,” Superintendent Ginnane said.

“That, thankfully, has dropped off, but the issue of stealing motor vehicles, and in particular older model HiLux utes, LandCruisers, and that sort of vehicle, still remains.”

NT Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Ginnane said motor vehicle theft damaged many victims’ livelihood. Picture: Supplied

Superintendent Ginnane said there was a perception among the community that stolen cars were an act of joy-riding.

“It’s not joy-riding, it is the deliberate theft of what, for most people, is the second most expensive and valuable asset they own,” he said.

“It removes their livelihood, it removes their ability to work, it removes their ability to socialise.

“I think that aside from the offenders themselves, there are a lot of people in this community who underestimate the damage that stealing motor vehicles causes to the community more broadly.”

Mr Ginnane was also concerned by young offenders’ ages which “means they have less experience than the average driver in operating a motor vehicle”.

Consequently, he said the danger “children” were putting motorists and the broader community in should not be underestimated.

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Originally published as Motor vehicle theft increases in the Northern Territory