Data shows most likely suburbs to have you car stolen

Car theft is almost a daily occurrence in Toowoomba with thieves sneaking into homes, taking keys and driving off with the family vehicle. While no suburb is safe, here are the hot spots.

Newtown, South Toowoomba, Rangeville and Harristown are among the top suburbs targeted by car thieves.

In the past year Toowoomba police recorded 35 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in Newtown, followed by 30 in South Toowoomba and 28 in Rangeville.

The statistics made the three suburbs the most common locations for thieves to steal cars, according to data from the Queensland Police Service crime map.

While these three suburbs top the list, car theft is spread relatively evenly across the city, with 368 offences recorded across Toowoomba.

Importantly the offence rate does not directly relate to the number of cars stolen.

Several offences can be linked to the same stolen vehicle if it is driven by multiple offenders.

OUR CAR THEFT HOT SPOTS

Newtown: 35

South Toowoomba: 30

Rangeville: 28

Harristown: 27

East Toowoomba: 24

Glenvale: 23

CBD: 19

Wilsonton: 18

Kearneys Spring: 16

Wilsonton Heights: 15

Rockville: 14

Drayton: 12

Centenary Heights: 8

Darling Heights: 8

Toowoomba Police Crime Prevention Officer Tony Rehn advised residents to secure their vehicles, properties and keys at all times.

Park your vehicle in well-lit and highly visible areas whenever possible, ideally off the street and in a garage.

Ensure both the garage and vehicle are locked and the garage door remote controls are secured.

Avoid marking your keys with your personal or vehicle details such as name, phone number or vehicle registration.

Consider installing a car alarm, steering wheel lock or remote engine immobiliser.

Secure your registration plates with antitheft screws and install a GPS tracker.

None of this matters if you leave your keys laying on the bench with your back door unlocked, or in the vehicle’s ignition.

Sgt Rehn advised residents to never leave their keys visible, such as on key hook or a bedside table.