More than 300 vehicles have been stolen from the north and north-east in just four months, the Press and Journal can reveal today.
Aberdeen dwarves all other areas, with 174 vehicles reported missing between the start of June and end of September – with 56 of those being from last month alone.
In Aberdeenshire there were 57 incidents, in Moray 23, Inverness 12 and in the Highlands and islands 38.
Last night the figures – obtained using freedom of information legislation, were described as worrying by politicians, who said there were those “hell-bent” on stealing cars, no matter how many times they were locked up or the security measures they were faced with.
They also prompted claims that the courts should be issuing harsher sentences on the culprits.
Highlands MSP and Scottish Greens justice spokesman John Finnie said: “Those who are hell-bent on stealing cars will spend time finding ways to get round these technologies.
“These figures seem pretty high and they seem to suggest a pattern of thefts so it’s important that people listen to police advice on how to keep their vehicles safe.”
Aberdeenshire’s co-council leader Richard Thomson urged people to heed the safety advice issued by the police, and to secure their property.
He said: “Aberdeenshire is a relatively prosperous place, which also sadly makes it a target for ‘acquisitive’ crime. Although crime levels are low overall this sometimes leads people to let their guard down.
“People should always heed police advice not just to lock up their vehicles and homes at night, but also to make sure that vehicle keys are kept well away from where any intruder might be able to easily find them.”
Councillor Neil Cooney, convener of Aberdeen’s infrastructure and communities committee, blamed a “persistent gang” of thieves for the city’s high figures.
He said: “Whenever they are sent down they serve a couple of months before they’re out and doing it again.
“They need to serve their sentences, or even half, just now they go in and come straight back out like a revolving door.
“It doesn’t give them the chance to retrain or rehabilitate to get out of this criminal lifestyle.
“It’s not good for the people of the city and frankly it’s not good for them either as they can’t get away from it.”
A Judicial Office for Scotland spokesman last night sentencing was a “matter for the court”.
Detective Superintendent Malcolm Stewart insisted the police were committed to tackling the problem, and said: “The majority of vehicles are recovered and we have various initiatives and campaigns ongoing to tackle this area of concern. This includes patrols in areas that have been targeted.
“We are aware that this type of crime is particularly distressing for the victims and that is why we continue to urge vehicle owners to take every step they can to prevent themselves from being targeted.
“There are simple steps which can be taken to help deter thieves and these include ensuring your home is locked, your car is locked and where possible stored in a secure garage.
“The more difficult people can make it to steal their property the less chance there is of becoming a victim of crime and if thieves have to spend time overcoming security then this increases the chances of them being disturbed and apprehended.”
Mark Lewis, director of standards for the Institute of Advanced Motorists echoed the advice, but also added: “Consider where you park your vehicle – try to leave it where it I in full view of other road users and at night try to park in areas that have good lighting.
“Fit a tracker to high value vehicles and use a good steering lock on older vehicles. And finally, don’t leave vehicle keys on show in the hallway of your house. Secure them out of view wherever possible.”