Police yesterday revealed 39 cars have been reported stolen in October, about double the city’s monthly average, prompting a victim to call for tougher penalties for offenders.

More than 280 cars were stolen in Albury in 2007-08, up 37.3 per cent on the previous year, according to NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report released earlier this year.

But crime manager Detective Insp Brad Blanchard said the October figure was the highest he had seen in years.

“Thirty-nine in one month is one of the highest we’ve recorded for a long time,” he said.

“I couldn’t isolate an area that wasn’t affected.

“It fluctuates from month to month ... for the month of September we had around about the 23 mark.

“There’s no particular trend or data that suggests why any month is worse than another, it just seems we suffered a significant increase in October.”

Older Holden Commodores and Fords were favoured by thieves and many vehicles stolen had been left unlocked.

Among the recent victims was Dianne Brezovnik, of Glenroy.

Her Ford Falcon was stolen and recovered twice in the past seven months.

More recently, the vehicle’s rear window was smashed with a brick.

Her son, Adam Williams, 22, had been driving the vehicle when vandals struck on Wednesday night.

His own car was set on fire outside his home in Springdale Heights two weeks ago.

l From page 1

The series of events had left the pair scared for their safety.

“I’m too scared to leave my house at night,” Mr Brezovnik said.

“There are parties and loud music and things going all night.

“I only moved in about a month ago.

“I thought this was going to be a nice, quiet neighbourhood.

“If this is what has happened already, it makes me wonder what else is going to happen.”

Ms Brezovnik wanted to harsher punishment for car thieves.

“Usually they have to go to court and then do some community service hours or get bail and then they’re out there doing it again,” she

said.

“I’m going to have to sell my stereo or something to pay for a new window and I’m still fixing it from before when it was stolen.”

Insp Blanchard urged motorists to keep their vehicles secure and report any suspicious behaviour to police.