DUBBO's rates of stealing from a motor vehicle have remained high during the past two years, at 2.4 times the state average, according to data released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics for the Dubbo Local Government Area.
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During 2013 Dubbo recorded 632 incidences of stealing from motor vehicles, stable over the two years.
But the incidents of stealing from motor vehicles continue to rise from years past with a 27.42 per cent increase on figures five years earlier.
In 2009 there were 496 incidences. On average 12 incidents occurred weekly in Dubbo during 2013.
The rates in Dubbo are alarmingly high compared to other regional cities across the state. In Orange last year there were 412 recorded incidents, Bathurst had 279, Tamworth recorded 347 while Wagga Wagga recorded 532.
Towns with figures closer to Dubbo include Coffs Harbor with 595 incidents of stealing from vehicles and Albury where 670 incidents were recorded.
The high figure has prompted Dubbo City Council's latest five-month campaign in the war against crime across the city.
The 'outsmart the crims before they outsmart you' campaign was launched last Friday in the hope it would drive down opportunistic theft from motor vehicles across the city.
Orana Local Area Command Acting Inspector Richard Morley said stealing from motor vehicles had been an ongoing problem for Dubbo for several years.
"People become lax, they feel safe in their own environment," acting inspector Morley said.
Key aspects of the campaign focus on making residents aware that they should be locking their cars and removing their valuables when they are parked, even in their own driveways or sheds.
"This campaign is all about making the residents of Dubbo more aware of the issue," Acting Inspector Morley said.
The campaign will see the use of online communication, a letterbox drop, audits of high-risk areas, promotion of the issue at key public events and strong messaging to alert the community.
Orana police have continually said stealing from motor vehicles are a top priority for the local area command.
'Hotspots' for theft from vehicles, as determined by the Bureau of Crime Statistics, include Dubbo Hospital, Orana Mall, north of South Dubbo Park and another near Apollo Estate. The largest hotspot spans along the Macquarie River, extending along Whylandra Street and through the central business district.
