Opportunist thieves are stealing more cars in Tauranga, and police say complacent motorists are most at risk.
Figures released to the Bay of Plenty Times reveal police at Tauranga Central police station received 107 reports of cars stolen from the city in 2011, up on the 89 in 2010.
At Tauranga South station in Greerton 103 cars were reported stolen in 2011, compared with 77 the year before.
However, slightly fewer cars were taken in Te Puke, Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and Katikati areas last year.
Katikati experienced the greatest drop with 23 stolen cars reported stolen in 2010, compared to just nine in 2011.
The issue of car security prompted police to release an online video last week titled "Things you can do to keep your vehicles secure".
National police manager for prevention Superintendent Bruce Bird said the videos were short, easy to understand and reminded people about basic safety tips.
"In many ways it is common sense but people do need reminding," he said.
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In provisional 2012 figures to date, 46 cars have already been reported stolen at Tauranga Central police station and 30 at Tauranga South station.
Twenty two cars were reported stolen in Te Puke, 18 in Mount Maunganui, seven in Papamoa and five in Katikati.
Mount Maunganui Senior Sergeant Joel Lamb said most of the cars stolen in Mount Maunganui were taken in residential areas, rather than outside supermarkets or shops.
Ensuring cars parked in driveways or the street were locked at night was a key tactic people could use to help curb such thefts, he said.
"It's about ensuring there aren't spare keys in the vehicle and even in people's houses, make sure the keys aren't easy to find or access."
Mr Lamb said police were particularly focused on preventing car theft.
"Stealing a car will lead to other offences in that car and other dangers on the road. We put a great amount of effort into preventing that."
Martin Fox, head of operations for AA Insurance, said cars parked in the street were five times more likely to be stolen than those in garages.
Respondents to the 2011 AA Insurance Drivers Index found that 50 per cent of drivers regularly left their cars unlocked while parked outside their house.
Of the 3550 respondents, 12.9 per cent admitted to regularly leaving a vehicle unlocked no matter where it was parked, Mr Fox said.
In 2011, Honda Torneo topped the AA Insurance list of top 10 most stolen cars, followed by Nissan Elgrand, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Forester and Subaru Legacy respectively.
Tauranga Sergeant Carolyn Crawford from the Tauranga police intelligence unit said many modern cars had security devices that appeared to detract attention from would-be thieves. Often the cars that were taken were older or had not been locked.
Safety tips on how best to keep your vehicles safe and secure are available online at www.police.govt.nz
Top 10 stolen cars in New Zealand, 2011
1. Honda Torneo
2. Nissan Elgrand
3. Subaru Impreza
4. Subaru Forester
5. Subaru Legacy
6. Nissan Skyline
7. Nissan Presea
8. Mitsubishi Libero
9. Nissan Cefiro
10. Nissan Sunny
* Source AA Insurance