New figures from SA Police show that in the 12 months to September 2017, the city centre had the highest number of car thefts and illegal car use of any suburb in South Australia, with 85 vehicles reported stolen.

Second on the list was Parafield Gardens, followed closely by Paralowie and Morphett Vale.

Regional areas weren’t excluded either, with 52 vehicles taken from Whyalla and 35 from Mt Gambier.

RAA Insurance claims manager Hayley Cain says the biggest surprise on the list was the northern suburb of Mawson Lakes.

Forty-three vehicles were taken from the area in the 12 months to September, making it equal sixth with Salisbury North.

“This is possibly due to a couple of factors,” Ms Cain says.

“It’s a relatively new suburb with a large public transport interchange, and most home owners working full time, so it’s possible that thieves believe that parked cars in Mawson Lakes will be unattended for most of the working day.

“Having your car stolen is a major inconvenience, and if you’re not insured, a major financial set back, so you should take precautions to reduce the chance of vehicle theft.”

Here’s what you can do to reduce the chances of having your car stolen:

• Park in a garage or carport whenever possible.

• If you must park on the road, leave your car in a well-lit area.

• Install sensor lights in your driveway, as they’re an excellent deterrent.

• Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re only leaving it for a couple of minutes.

• Remove items of value from sight, and use your car alarm if you have one.

• If you don’t have a car alarm, a steering wheel lock can be an effective deterrent.

• Don’t put all your valuables in the boot, as most trunks are easily accessible.

• Make sure your vehicle is insured against theft.