Community urged to level up against car theft

CRIME Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are urging the community to take an active role in protecting their vehicles, as part of a new campaign targeting a sharp rise in car thefts driven by thieves using new sophisticated technologies

The “Level Up Against Car Theft” campaign gives the community practical steps to reduce their risk of car theft and encourages them to report suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers.

It is a response to dramatic increases in motor vehicle crime across the state.

In the year to March 2025, 31,551 vehicles were stolen in Victoria, a 47.1 per cent increase year on year.

Thefts from vehicles also rose sharply, reaching 82,414 offences, a 39.3 per cent jump from the previous year.

Offenders are increasingly targeting vehicles with keyless entry and push-start systems, using devices that mimic or override factory settings.

Makes such as Holdens, Toyotas and Subarus are being stolen at three to four times the rate recorded five years ago.

While police are actively pursuing offenders, vehicle owners have an important role to play in prevention.

The campaign encourages the use of straightforward anti-theft items such as OBD port locks, steering wheel locks, Faraday pouches, and anti-theft number plate screws, which are small investments that can make a big difference.

Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive officer Stella Smith said vehicle crime was no longer just random or opportunistic.

“Car crime might seem like bad luck, but in many cases, it is calculated and preventable.

“That is why we are urging Victorians to take simple, proactive steps. Locking your car, parking in safer spots, removing valuables, and using anti-theft devices can all make a real difference.”

Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald from the Vehicle Crime Squad said police were arresting a significant number of offenders in possession of key reprogramming devices, as police intelligence showed as many as one in five of all cars are disappearing despite their owners retaining the keys.

“These devices are turning up more and more at search warrants, while we’ve also seen some of our most prolific youth offenders using them to steal cars that are then used to facilitate further serious offending.

“In recent times, our Operation Trinity units have caught youth offenders throwing these devices from the car moments before being arrested.”

She said one of the biggest concerns for police was the rise in the number of stolen cars increasing the risk created on roads.

“These vehicles are often driven at extreme speeds, and as a result, we’ve seen a sharp spike in the number of collisions involving stolen cars, with 760 in the 12 months to March 2025.”

For emergencies or life-threatening situations, always phone 000.

If you have information, dashcam footage or CCTV footage that could assist, report anonymously to Crime Stoppers online at crimestoppersvic.com.au or phone 1800 333 000.