Vehicle theft in Darwin increased 42 per cent in the 12 months to May this year, compared to the previous year, but based on population, vehicles in Alice Springs were getting stolen at more than twice the rate of Darwin, police statistics show.

They also revealed an average of 5.8 vehicles stolen each day across the Territory, with the NT holding the worst car theft rates in the nation in 2021, according to a national report.

The police data showed there were 460 vehicles taken in Darwin in the 12 months to May 2021 at a rate of 547 vehicles per 100,000 people, jumping to to 655 vehicles in the next 12 months, at a rate of 787 per 100,000 people – a 42 per cent increase in the amount of vehicles stolen.

In Alice Springs, there was a 35 per cent increase, jumping from 320 vehicles stolen to 437, with the rate per 100,000 people increasing from 1195 to 1627.

In total for the 12 months to May, there were 2,120 vehicles stolen across the Territory, at a rate of 5.8 per day.

On Thursday Strike Force Trident Senior Sergeant Kaye Pemberton said thieves were continuing to target older model four-wheel-drives.

“These older-style vehicles are being hotwired, and we strongly recommend that owners invest in additional security precautions such as a steering lock. It’s a small outlay that provides a big deterrent to would-be thieves,” she said.

“Seven vehicles were stolen overnight. Four have been recovered – three of these had not yet been reported stolen. It is likely that these owners were either away for work or travelling.”

She said there were currently nine stolen vehicles that remain outstanding in the Darwin region, with all being older model LandCruisers or Hiluxes, with the exception of a 2015 Ford Ranger, and most had been stolen from the northern suburbs.

“We continue to urge all drivers to ensure their vehicle’s security. Don’t leave any valuables in your car and when not in use, keep your keys and remotes out of sight of opportunistic thieves,” she said.

The Northern Territory had the worst car theft rates in the nation in 2021, according to statistics based on local government and Australian Bureau of Statistics data for crime and vehicle registrations, and complied by insurance company Budget Direct.

There were an average of 10.1 motor vehicles per 1000 registered reported stolen in the NT, compared the next highest jurisdictions, with the ACT at 4.5, and Queensland at 3.7.

Based on the figures, New South Wales had the lowest reported theft rate, at 1.8.

Last year, an overall 47,803 vehicles were stolen in the country, with the most being stolen in Queensland for a total of 15,805.