By Gabrielle Costa
“NO ONE would want to knock off my car – it’s too old.”
The words have surely been uttered time and time again by unsuspecting motorists who then return to a car park only to find their wheels have been nicked.
Now, the City of Maribyrnong has joined forces with police and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) in a bid to reduce the number of cars stolen from prime theft locations including the Footscray and West Footscray railway stations and Highpoint Shopping Centre. The latest effort is dubbed Operation Bounce Back.
In the 2006-07 financial year, 481 motor vehicle thefts in the City of Maribyrnong were reported to police. Almost three-quarters of those stolen cars were at least 15 years old.
“Many people aren’t aware of the very real dangers of car theft, there is a mindset that ‘it won’t happen to me’ or ‘my car is too old to be stolen’ – but figures show that earlier models have the highest theft rates,” said Maribyrnong mayor Michelle MacDonald.
“Promotions around major theft areas in Footscray and at the Highpoint Shopping Centre will help identify car owners vulnerable to theft and provide them with ideas and information about how to make their vehicle more secure.
“The operation will also spread the essential message that motorists need to immediately report to police if their car is stolen or damaged or if they see anyone acting suspiciously around cars in their neighbourhood.”
The drivers of cars considered to be the prime target of thieves will have a chance to win one of 100 engine immobiliser vouchers, and there will be instructional signs posted in theft hot-spots that provide information on how best to protect a vehicle.
The program has been funded by a $35,000 grant from the NMVTRC.
