If you live in Christchurch and feel like you're hearing about car thefts more often, you'd be right.
Data from a major insurance company shows thefts of vehicles are up more than 30 percent on last year and police insist they're committed to trying to prevent it.
Theft victim Rebecca just got a brand new car after her old one was stolen.
"It was an absolute nightmare," she told Newshub.
She went to bed one night with it parked up the driveway.
"I got a call at 2:20am from police asking me 'is your car outside?' and I said 'I think so' and I wandered outside sleepily to see if my car was outside and it's gone."
It had been taken for a joyride by teenage thieves and dumped hours later full of cigarette burns and stains.
"It was horrendous, the first two-three weeks, such a mental stress."
Rebecca had to wait months to get her car back so bought a new one. The whole ordeal has taken its toll mentally and financially.
AA Insurance's Beau Paparoa said car theft figures are rising exponentially year-on-year.
"To the end of June 2022, there's approximately 35 percent increase in vehicle theft in the Christchurch and Canterbury region."
And it's not the Maseratis the criminals are after.
"Vehicles that are being stolen are typical of your lower value, around about $5000 or less or about five years or older."
They're being taken for a variety of unsavoury reasons.
"Vehicles are being stolen and used for ram raid activity, we can also see that's there some joy-riding activity and sometimes they're being stolen to get from point A to point B."
Police confirmed there's been an increase in reported car thefts in certain areas of Christchurch and say they are committed to trying to prevent this type of crime, particularly times like now during the school holidays when cars are left unattended.
Steering wheel locks and alarms are encouraged, as well as parking out of sight or in well-lit areas and not leaving valuables in cars.
Police said vehicle crime can have a devastating impact, something Rebecca will attest to.
"The impact that it's had on me is huge. It nearly sent me into a spiral."
And it's happening to thousands of Kiwis, every week.
