However, theft of a vehicle will generally always be reported. While this makes it difficult to get the most accurate number of crimes that were committed, through victim and other surveys a strategy that can reduce motor vehicle theft can be created and implemented (Abs.gov.au, 2011). .
Opportunistic Versus Profit Motivated Theft.
Car thieves are referred to as either opportunistic or profit seeking. While car theft by profit-seeking thieves is a growing issue, majority of car thefts are opportunistic and committed by non-professionals, commonly juveniles between the ages of 12-14 (Australian Institute of Criminology, n.d.). Most thefts occur for short-term advantages, or to aid in the continuance of another offence, e.g. robbery (Police.vic.gov.au, 2007). The majority of offenders are young males looking for adventure and/or personal belongings to take, including money, laptops, radios, wheels, and cell phones (Australian Institute of Criminology, n.d.). Profit-motivated theft refers to the stealing of the car itself or parts of the car with the intention of gaining a profit by reselling the car or car parts illegally. Cars stolen by opportunistic thieves are often returned to the owner in a damaged condition (Police.vic.gov.au, 2007). However, cars stolen by profit-seeking thieves are often never returned back to the owner due to being resold, destroyed, not found or found to be dumped in waterways, or bush land (National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction, 2014, p4).
Part B: Course of Action.
Environmental Strategy.
An environmental approach towards motor vehicle theft is crucial to prevent and reduce motor vehicle theft as 50% of motor vehicle thefts occur in a residential area, 28.2% on the streets, 10.1% in government and work areas, and 4.7% in car parks (Aic.gov.au, n.d). By placing more signage in parking areas to remind people to lock their cars and ensure they don't leave anything in their car, predominantly valuables would encourage potential targets and those who enable access to targets to contemplate the consequences of their actions and dissuade conduct that might allow for crime to occur (Aic.
