New figures showed a rise in the crime from the previous year.

In 2016, there were 296 reports of motor vehicle theft, up from 233 in 2015.

Cessnock’s rate of 538.4 per 100,000 people was the state’s fourth highest behind Dubbo, Wellington and Moree Plains

The state average was 174.2 per 100,000 people.

The figures came as no surprise to Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector George Radmore.

He believed stealing cars was a culture that had always been an issue across the Central Hunter command.

He said there was a higher proportion of older cars across the command, which had less security features than newer cars.

Inspector Radmore said the large amount of bush land in the local area also made it easier for criminals to drive stolen cars undetected.

A lack of public transport could also be a contributing factor, he said.

Central Hunter command runs proactive operations to target motor vehicle theft.

Inspector Radmore said they deployed patrol cars to areas where cars had been reported stolen and also areas where stolen vehicles had been found.

In the past month police pulled 24 vehicles out of a quarry at Thornton and a further 28 from bush land at Bellbird.

Inspector Radmore encouraged people to be vigilant and always lock their vehicles.

He said most cars were stolen from residential premises, so if possible people should park their cars behind fences or in a garage.

“The harder you make a vehicle to steal the less chance of it being stolen,” he said.

Inspector Radmore said police were trying their best to combat the issue.

“It’s not an easy problem to solve,” he said.

“Cars are a valuable commodity - that’s not lost on police. It is definitely a priority in the command.”