Albury police urge people to be just as mindful leaving property in cars at home

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Wallace said new statistics show about 60 per cent of thefts from motor vehicles occur while cars were parked near home.

Last week, police revealed a recent spike in thefts from tradespeople's vehicles parked overnight and urged residents to be vigilant about what belongings they leave unattended in their cars.

Detective Acting Inspector Wallace said there had been a slight decrease in the trend since the announcement but the community should not be complacent.

"We've had some statistical research done in the last 12 months and what we've worked out is that around 60 per cent of our 'steal from motor vehicles' occur in either someone's driveway or out the front of their house," he said.

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"We only have a small percentage of 'steal from motor vehicles' that actually happen when people are away from their house.

"When people go shopping they're mindful of where their belongings are, but it's obvious when people are at home and their car is out the front in the drive way, they may feel that their valuables are safer.

"Just because your car is at home in your drive way or parked out the front of your house doesn't mean it's any safer than if it's parked at a car park at a shopping centre."

Wallets, cash and credit cards are the most targeted items, while 30 per cent of thefts involve to licence plates. However, Detective Acting Inspector Wallace said there were ways residents could prevent thefts happening to them.

"The police station have boxes of one-way screws available for free," he said.

"People are encouraged to come to the station to the counter and ask for those screws to put on your car to prevent getting number plates pinched."

Despite more people at home than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, police say they do not believe their is a link between this and items that have been stolen.

"It's a community thing where people think their belongings are safe in a car," he said.

"We've had a bad couple of months, but I think we're turning a corner now. People are becoming more aware of what's going on."

Tradespeople were advised not to park on the street but instead lock their vehicle in a garage if possible.