A new campaign highlighting the importance of keeping vehicle keys safe has been launched in Northern Tasmania, after car thefts increased by about one-third in the past year.
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Launceston College media students have created advertisements about the value of car keys, which will air on Tasmanian television as part of Operation Bounce Back.
City of Launceston, Tasmania Police, Launceston College and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council worked together on the campaign.
The NMVTRC said a new trend in vehicle thefts had swept the nation, with thieves breaking into people’s homes to steal car keys. It estimated 70 per cent of late model car thefts resulted from stolen keys.
Launceston Acting Inspector Justin Bidgood said more than 200 cars had been stolen within the Northern District during the first half of this year.
“It’s an increase of about a third over the last year, so it is on the rise. We’re concerned about car security and theft.”
Acting Inspector Bidgood said the campaign would raise much needed public awareness.
“Your keys are valuable and they enable your car to be stolen and used in other crimes as well as damaging your own property.
“Don’t leave your keys inside, don’t leave them in your dash, don’t leave them in your ignition. Even at home, keep them out of sight ... don’t leave them on your bench.”
