http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/airbag...6012713504.html Airbag theft is on the rise, police warn, with at least nine cars targeted in an inner west Sydney suburb in just two days. Thieves broke into nine Toyota Corollas on Friday and Saturday night last week in Leichhardt. Inspector Patrick Stafford of Leichhardt police said the airbags were probably "stolen to order" and recycled into the professional and private car repair industry. "These are not just kids who are breaking into these cars, these are professionals," Inspector Stafford said. "They can jimmy a car open, take the airbag out and be gone in five to ten minutes." Police said car airbags had been stolen from suburbs across Sydney. Airbags are attractive to thieves because of their high value anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $3000 and the ease with which shonky car repairers can hide the origin of spare parts. The recommended price for driver's side airbags for Toyota Corollas was about $1000, not including labour, the car manufacturer confirmed today. Inspector Stafford said police were leaving letters under the windscreens of commonly targeted cars parked in Annandale, Balmain, Glebe and Leichhardt, warning motorists of the threat. He advised people who parked their cars on the side of the street to park in a well lit area, use a steering wheel lock that covered the driver's side airbag and fit a car alarm, not simply an engine immobiliser, to deter thieves. The secretary of the Australian Association of Automotive Electricians, Jeff Smit, called for stricter regulation of the paperwork repairers were required to provide to motorists, to ensure the parts being fitted came from a legitimate source. "Customers should ask their repairer for detailed invoices," Mr Smit said.