Victoria is in the midst of a car theft crisis, with thefts from and of motor vehicles reaching historic high.
According to data from Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency, thefts from motor vehicles reached an all-time high over the 12 months to the end of September 2024, with 68,042 offences recorded in the state, a year-on-year increase of 13,924 offences or 25 per cent.
Number plates remain the popular target among thieves, stolen in more than a third of offences, while power tools were the second-most targeted item.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
A majority of victims of theft had left their cars unlocked, with 83 per cent of offences showing no signs of forced entry.
“Police continue to see far too many properties burgled and cars stolen due to unlocked doors and windows, so we urge the community to take simple measures such as checking your home and car is locked before heading to bed,” said acting deputy commissioner of regional operations, Chris Gilbert, back in October.
Cars are also being stolen in the highest numbers for more than two decades. More than 25,000 vehicles were stolen between October 2023 and September 2024, the highest 12-month tally since 2003, and an increase of 6408 thefts on the same period a year prior
Victoria Police claims that around 40 per cent of all car thieves are child or youth offenders.
On mid-2023, Victoria Police launched a focused dusk-till-dawn patrol coined Operation Trinity in response to rising rates of youth crime and car thefts.
With an extra 70 police scouring the streets of Melbourne, Operation Trinity made almost 1550 arrests of 673 people for breaking into homes and stealing cars in the 12 months to the end of September 2024.
Between January and June 2024, 1005 stolen vehicles were recovered in Victoria, with Victoria Police reporting almost half of these were taken from Greater Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey. The vehicles are valued at an estimated $30.6 million.
At the start of July, Victoria Police also created new Crime Reduction Teams across Melbourne and Geelong, with the intention of preventing further offending and providing support for rehabilitation.
