Car theft on the rise in Queensland Be careful where you leave you car keys. Photo: iStock Thieves have been sneaking into people's homes, stealing their keys, and driving away with their cars. Car owners are being warned to be more diligent with their car keys as home driveways now become car thieves' favoured location from which to steal. Car theft is on the rise, with 34 vehicles stolen across Queensland every day in 2012, a new "Car Security Index" shows. And almost one in every five Queenslanders has reported a stolen vehicle over the past 5 years, it said. According to the RACQ Insurance-sponsored research, 28 per cent of all car thefts across Queensland took place in home driveways. This is an increase of 5 per cent over 2012. It was found that one in four of the households that experienced a car theft from their property had also been the victim of a home intrusion - known as a "sneak-raid" - prior to the car theft. "Sneak-raids" often happened while residents are still at home, and RACQ executive manager of insurance communications Mike Sopinski believes home owners have become too complacent and careless. "Most people think once they park their car at home on the driveway they are home and safe but unfortunately these days it seems to be quite the opposite," Mr Sopinski said. Household residents are making it easy for opportunistic thieves to enter their home by just simply not locking or closing front doors. Research was compiled following a survey of 1000 licensed Queensland motorists of varying ages, genders and locations (both metro and regional). Research also revealed that more than 15 per cent of thefts occurred from the street of the owner's residence and 10 per cent from the home garage. Mr Sopinski said he believed an increase in thefts had led to a real fear across the community in regards to car theft. "Eleven per cent of Queensland motorists now do not believe it is safe to park their car in their immediate local area," he said. The Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review shows the number of "unlawful use of a motor vehicle" crimes rose to 11,979 in financial year 2011/12 - an increase of 23 per cent. Other cars were stolen from streets other than the owner's (12 per cent of total thefts), public car parks (10 per cent), shopping centre car parks (7 per cent), rail or bus commuter car parks (7 per cent), and service stations (2 per cent). "What most people do is when they get home from their shopping they just drop their keys on the side or kitchen table and they leave doors and they leave windows open, allowing these opportunistic car thieves and now opportunistic home thieves to get into these properties and make good on the theft of the vehicles," Mr Sopinski said. Three Queensland cities are rated the worst in Australia for car theft - Brisbane (2,843 reported thefts in 2012), Gold Coast (1,971) and Logan (1,672). RACQ tips to prevent car theft include: If your vehicle does not have a factory-fitted engine immobiliser, you need to install an Australian Standards self-arming immobiliser Do not leave valuables in open sight in your car Always lock your vehicle and secure windows when away from your car, even when at home or in the garage Do not hide a spare key in your car, even if you think it is well concealed Park in well-lit, secure areas at night Never leave your engine running while away from your car Use off-street parking where available Secure car keys when the vehicle is parked at home or work