Thieves have made easy pickings with valuables left in cars at Dubbo but now the city has a new chance to fight back.
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The majority of theft from motor vehicle crimes were opportunistic and occurred at an average of 11 incidents per week, 2013 statistics reveal.
To combat the "highly-prevalent" problem a simple message from authorities will aim to empower the city's residents and stop the losses.
Dubbo City Council yesterday launched a community crime initiative that urges motorists to "outsmart the crims before they outsmart you".
The reasoning for the five-month awareness campaign was highlighted during its launch by Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson, Dubbo MP Troy Grant and Orana police commander David Simmons.
More than 60 per cent of offences happened in residential areas including private driveways, statistics sourced from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and Dubbo police revealed.
The majority of thefts from motor vehicles in Dubbo were opportunistic and in about half the cases, the vehicles had either been unlocked or valuables were in clear view - or both.
The statistics and risk factors will be presented to the community throughout the campaign, as will an insight into the thinking of perpetrators.
"If a door wasn't locked we would have a look in - people leave money, wallets, phones - it's that easy," a campaign brochure records of the words of juvenile offenders as told to Dubbo Police.
The Dubbo Local Government Area was ranked number three in 2012 for the crime category, a position noted by Cr Dickerson as he said theft from motor vehicle was a state-wide problem and Dubbo was no exception.
"In almost half the cases reported to Dubbo Police, these crimes may have been prevented through increased vehicle security - saving vehicle owners a lot of time, money and inconvenience."
The education message will be accompanied by audits of high-risk areas.
The NSW Department of Attorney-General and Justice provided $50,000 in funding for the campaign.
Speaking at the launch yesterday Mr Grant admitted his wife would say he was "the worst" at leaving his wallet and phone unsecured or in view, but he said the simple idea of the campaign was important.
"I urge the community to exercise vigilance," he said.
"Adequately securing vehicles and removing valuables when parking them is an easy way to outsmart these criminals, and at the same time help reduce the statistics in this crime category."
Superintendent Simmons said a high-profile community awareness campaign should have a direct impact on alerting vehicle owners to the type of crime and how it can be prevented.
"Some people are making it too easy for the opportunists by not adequately securing their vehicles and their valuables like phones, handbags, wallets and electronic devices,'' he said.
"The criminals tell us how easy it is to steal from a motor vehicle in Dubbo, so the big message is: theft from motor vehicles can be prevented...out-smart them before they outsmart you.''
1. Secure your vehicle in a garage or by parking in a well-lit area
2. Remove all valuables from your vehicle or from clear view
3. Lock all windows, doors and external items - such as toolboxes - before leaving your vehicle.