\nHowever, it\u2019s the unfortunate reality that\u00a0many\u00a0residents\u00a0across the Lower Hunter\u00a0will\u00a0face,\u00a0with motor vehicle thefts\u00a0traditionally\u00a0spiking\u00a0over summer.
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![\"CarTheftPreventionProgram-(1).jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Councils-raise-awareness-to-prevent-car-theft-this\/CarTheftPreventionProgram-(1).jpg.aspx\" "\\"CarTheftPreventionProgram-(1).jpg\\"")
Mayors from the Greater Newcastle Area including\u00a0Lake Macquarie, Cessnock,\u00a0Port Stephens\u00a0have joined forces to reduce vehicle thefts in a region-wide initiative that aims to educate people about how to prevent falling victim to thieves.\n\u201cOne of the biggest factors to motor vehicle theft is\u00a0home\u00a0break-ins. It\u2019s common for a home burglar to steal car keys,\u201d\u00a0City of Newcastle\u00a0Community Safety\u00a0Facilitator\u00a0Lisa Davis said.
\n\u201cThe majority of home burglaries are opportunistic, with burglars targeting houses they perceive\u00a0as providing the easiest and quickest access points.\u201d
\nSome simple tips for preventing motor vehicle theft include:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keeping your vehicle keys out of sight when you are at home
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Never leaving them near doors or windows
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do not include your name and address on key ring tags.
\nIn 2017, 50 per cent of stolen motor vehicles had been parked on the street and 37 per cent were taken from residential dwellings in Newcastle.
\nGetting in the\u00a0habit of checking your keys are not still in your vehicle after taking the grocery bags inside can\u00a0also\u00a0help reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen.
\nHistorically, televisions and computers were among the items stolen in home burglaries, however vehicles are now the most common target, with keys the sole item stolen in roughly 1-in-4 break and enter cases.
\nNSW Police\u00a0has\u00a0advised this trend for residential addresses is due to a shift in car theft practices, with thieves targeting homes to steal keys of vehicles, rather than pursuing vehicles in public areas as likely to be under surveillance.
\nCity of Newcastle secured $15,000 of funding from\u00a0the\u00a0National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) to roll out a car theft prevention campaign which is supported by surrounding local councils.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"