Malicious damage to cars on the up: RAC
30 April 2007
Incidents of malicious damage to cars have increased by 50 per cent in Western Australia over the past two years, according to the RAC's latest LiveSafe Report.
Analysis of data from WA's largest private motor insurer, RAC Insurance, has revealed that while levels of car theft have levelled out over the past few years, a new concern for motorists has emerged - having their car intentionally damaged by vandals or would-be car thieves when it is left unattended.
There were more than 1500 incidents of malicious damage in 2006 at a cost of nearly $2million and an average cost of $1,200. Incidents of malicious damage included cars being ‘keyed', broken into and the interior vandalised, panels and lights broken, soft tops slashed and roofs dented from a growing trend known as ‘car jumping'.
The report identifies the key metropolitan entertainment centres of Fremantle, Mandurah, Perth, Rockingham and Northbridge as areas where cars are most likely to be damaged. The regional centres of Kalgoorlie and Bunbury also featured in the top ten.
Motorists were also most likely to see their car damaged over the weekend.
It's a worrying trend according to the RAC Executive Manager Member Advocacy, David Moir, and one that needs the attention of the authorities and the general public alike.
"The fact that a large number of incidents happen in the entertainment precincts in WA on Friday, Saturday and Sundays points to this being part of the wider issue of drunken and anti-social behaviour," said Mr Moir.
"The anecdotal evidence from our insurance assessors is that damage caused by ‘keying' and ‘car jumping' is on the up, the sort of behaviour that is fuelled by excessive alcohol.
"It is also possible that would-be thieves are being infuriated by modern car security systems and are taking out these frustrations by damaging the cars instead of stealing them."
The RAC's partnership with the City of Fremantle has revealed that much of the disorder in these areas was caused by those who did not live locally, said Mr Moir. (1)
"Certainly in the cases of Fremantle, Perth and Northbridge many of the problems are caused by people entering the precinct rather than offenders who live there," he said.
The City of Fremantle is formulating a safety and crime prevention plan and the City will be investing resources to tackle these issues said Mr Moir.
The RAC is calling on authorities to look at implementing strategies to counter the trend and suggests that motorists take more care when parking in entertainment precincts.
"It's difficult to guard against malicious damage because it can happen anywhere at any time. But you can cut down the risk by parking in a well lit and well frequented area," Mr Moir said.
"Most crooks don't want to be caught, so if your car is parked in a well frequented area, chances are it will be left alone, in preference for a car parked down a deserted laneway".
Mr Moir also said that multi-storey car parks were often seen as a better option for parking because there are limited points of access to each level.
The RAC has asked the State Government to implement a $2million Designing Out Crime fund, so local government can install more street lights and other measures to make areas less attractive to vandals.
The report also identified the motor vehicle theft hotspots over the past year with Fremantle, Armadale and Perth making up the top three with Thornlie and South Perth also proving popular with car thieves.
Notes to editors: (1) The RAC is currently working in partnership with the City of Fremantle to develop ways to tackle anti-social behaviour, car crime and burglary, Through this partnership it has become evident that many of those responsible for the disorder in Fremantle do not live there.
Please credit the source of all statistics as: RAC Insurance
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