New South Wales’ Top 10 Highest Vehicle Theft Areas

Where Did We Get New South Wales Theft Data From?

The 2025 figures come from New South Wales vehicle theft data published by drive.com.au. The report draws on official crime statistics to show where the most cars were stolen across the state during the year.

We used those figures to rank the ten council areas with the highest number of stolen vehicles.

Car Theft Across New South Wales

Blacktown recorded the highest number of car thefts in New South Wales in 2025, with 747 vehicles stolen. Newcastle followed with 678, while Canterbury-Bankstown recorded 648.

Several of the areas near the top of the list are in Sydney’s west and south-west, although Newcastle, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Wollongong also recorded high totals.

1. Blacktown: 747 cars stolen

Blacktown sits in Sydney’s west and is one of the largest council areas in the state. It covers a wide stretch of established suburbs, newer housing developments and busy commercial centres.

Large shopping precincts, railway stations and major roads bring thousands of vehicles into the area every day. Many are left in driveways, on residential streets or in public car parks for long periods, giving thieves plenty of opportunities.

2. Newcastle: 678 cars stolen

Newcastle had the second highest total, with 678 vehicles stolen.

As one of the state’s largest regional cities, Newcastle has a busy mix of homes, businesses, entertainment areas and public parking. Cars are regularly left near workplaces, shopping streets, beaches and transport hubs, often for several hours at a time.

3. Canterbury-Bankstown: 648 cars stolen

Canterbury-Bankstown recorded 648 stolen cars across its densely populated south-western suburbs.

The area includes busy town centres, shopping precincts and railway stations, alongside large residential neighbourhoods. Street parking is common in many suburbs, while station car parks can leave vehicles unattended for much of the day.

4. Central Coast: 603 cars stolen

The Central Coast sits between Sydney and Newcastle and recorded 603 vehicle thefts in 2025.

Many residents rely on their cars to travel between suburbs, commute to work and reach nearby transport links. This keeps local streets, shopping centres and station car parks busy throughout the week, with plenty of vehicles left unattended during the day and overnight.

5. Liverpool: 531 cars stolen

Liverpool had 531 vehicles stolen during the year.

The council area continues to grow, with new housing developments adding more people and cars to Sydney’s south-west. Busy roads, major shopping centres and expanding residential neighbourhoods mean vehicles are parked across the area at almost every hour.

6. Cumberland: 503 cars stolen

Cumberland recorded 503 stolen cars.

Its western Sydney suburbs contain a mix of houses, apartments, commercial areas and busy local centres. Many residents depend on street parking, while vehicles are also left around shops, railway stations and workplaces throughout the day.

7. Lake Macquarie: 489 cars stolen

Lake Macquarie sits just south of Newcastle and includes a wide collection of residential and lakeside suburbs.

The area recorded 489 stolen vehicles in 2025. Shopping centres, local business districts and homes spread around the lake keep cars moving across a large area, while many are parked outside or away from their owners for long stretches.

8. Penrith: 456 cars stolen

Penrith recorded 456 stolen vehicles.

Sitting at the foot of the Blue Mountains, it has developed into a major centre for western Sydney. Its growing suburbs, busy town centre, railway station and large shopping precincts attract vehicles from across the surrounding region every day.

9. Wollongong: 423 cars stolen

Wollongong had 423 cars stolen during the year.

The coastal city combines residential neighbourhoods with a busy city centre, university, beaches and shopping areas. Vehicles are often left on suburban streets, near workplaces or in beachside parking while their owners are elsewhere.

10. Parramatta: 401 cars stolen

Parramatta rounded out the top ten with 401 stolen vehicles.

As one of Sydney’s largest business and commercial centres, it attracts workers, residents and shoppers from across the city. Office towers, apartments, restaurants and shopping centres keep local streets and car parks busy throughout the week.

Conclusion

Car theft can happen anywhere a vehicle is left unattended, whether that is outside a home, near a railway station or in a busy public car park. In many cases, the owner does not realise the car is missing until the thief has already travelled well beyond the area.

A GPS tracker cannot stop a vehicle from being stolen, but it can show where the car has gone. That location information can be shared with police and may help them track and recover it.