RACV paid Melton residents more than $325,000 in stolen car claims last year.
In its latest report, RACV upheld claims by 34 car owners from Melton, making it one of the top 10 municipalities where car thefts are most common.
The 34 successful claims were just one more than in the previous year, 2013.
RACV general manager Paul Northey urged drivers to take small but vital steps to protect their vehicles.
“We assume night is the danger time for damage to be inflicted and for cars to be stolen, but evidence shows that vandals and car thieves are most active between 6am and midday,” Mr Northey said. “If you have to park on the street, then do so in a well-lit, busy location and take your valuable and accessories out of the car. Ensure your windows are up and lock the vehicle.”
Melton police say cars are generally stolen for specific reasons – for joyrides, to commit other offences or to steal parts – and some never return to their owners.
“If the car is taken for a joy-ride, they will dump it somewhere and a member of the public contacts us,” a police spokesman told
Star Weekly. “But if they’re taken to commit other offences or steal parts, some offenders do burn the vehicles to get rid of forensic evidence.”
He
said many of the cars stolen or broken into had been left unlocked, and he urged drivers to lock their cars and remove valuables from sight.
Sumeyya Ilanbey
