Freo aims to bounce car theft

by John Chan

April 2, 2008

CAR thieves beware, because Fremantle council is offering ratepayers 130 free and fully-fitted immobilisers to target auto theft and reduce crime through the Operation Bounce Back initiative.

Organised by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, the scheme offers vehicle owners who are at high risk of car theft some peace of mind.

“Many people think vehicles are stolen by highly organised gangs, targeting prestige vehicles made in the past few years,” Freo council community safety coordinator Cameron Bartkowski said in a press release. “Cars are often stolen right from under the owner’s nose, simply because unsecured vehicles provide an easy opportunity for would be thieves.”

According to the NMVTRC, cars more than 15 years old are at highest risk of being stolen. In Fremantle alone, 308 car thefts were recorded between July 2006 and June 2007.