Figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed the number of car thefts in Cessnock climbed from 297 in 2016 to 338 last year.

The 2017 figure equated to a rate of 595.5 per 100,000 people, behind Moree Plains which had a rate of 868.3.

It is a jump from where Cessnock placed in 2016, when it was the fourth worst area in the state behind Moree Plains, Dubbo and Narromine.

Cessnock has consistently placed in the top six in the state for car theft offences since 2013.

And the problem has continued to plague police this year. Just last week, a silver Kia Rondo station wagon was stolen from Barton Street, Kurri Kurri sometime between 7pm, March 24 and 11:15am, March 26.

A white Toyota Landcruiser was also thieved from Access Road, Neath between 3.30pm, March 22 and 5.20am, March 23.

Hunter Valley police crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Tim Seymour said while motor vehicle theft was not too bad across the district, which also includes Singleton and Muswellbrook, the crime was a real problem in Cessnock.

“Cessnock certainly gives us a bit of grief,” he said. “It is one of our more prevalent crimes there.”

For that reason, police established Operation Carjack on March 1 to target known offenders and car dumping hot spots.

In the first month of the operation, four motorbikes and one vehicle have been recovered and four people have been charged with numerous offences.

Inspector Seymour said the operation would be ongoing.

“We know who is involved,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of catching them.”