U-Turn Programme

Australia has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the world which is estimated to cost the community about $1 billion each year.

Young opportunistic thieves account for 3 out of every 4 cars stolen. Young people target older vehicles that are easier to break into, and use the vehicle either for short term transport, 'joy riding' or to commit another crime, such as burglary.  Motor vehicle theft can also often be an entry into more serious criminal behaviour.

The traditional ways of dealing with these young offenders, such as incarceration, have shown limited success and are very costly.  Often the underlying issues associated with the young person's offending behaviour are not addressed during the period of detention, and on their release, the young person does not have the support or skills to change their previous behaviour.

The U-Turn Programme is a crime prevention programme aimed at diverting young people from motor vehicle theft.  The Australian Government has contributed $1.345 million to the programme, establishing pilot sites in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.  The funding for the project includes evaluations of each of the individual pilot sites, and also a meta-evaluation of the project as a whole.  It also receives funding from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC), and in-kind support from relevant State Government and industry groups.

The U-Turn programme pilots the Best Practice Model and Business Plan for a Young Recidivist Car Theft Offender Programme which was developed by the NMVTRC and released in April 2002.  The Model is based on the concept of reconnecting young people to values and networks that support non-offending lifestyles. Training in mechanics provides an incentive for young people to join the programme and intensive case management and mentoring throughout and beyond the programme address the issues which lead young people to offend and prevent post-programme relapse.

The U-Turn Programme exploits the interest of young people in cars and mechanics as a way of encouraging their participation in the programme.  The programme also offers training in literacy and numeracy, recreational activities, links to employment, work experience and education. Intensive case management and mentoring, both throughout and after the programme, aim to help the young people stop re-offending in the long-term.  It aims to give young people some positive, practical alternatives that enable them to continue to enjoy being around cars, while at the same time offering the opportunity to learn a trade.

The first priority of the U-Turn Programme targets young people with a history of repeat car theft offences. The programme also targets those young people who are at risk of offending.