Your neighbours could be one of the best security measures for your home and car

It’s time to pop your head over the fence, knock on the door or walk across the road and get to know your neighbours – they could be one of the best security measures for your home and car.

As Crime Prevention Month kicks off across the state in October, RACV and Neighbourhood Watch are teaming up to promote their ‘Safety in Neighbours’ campaign, urging Victorians to take simple steps to connect with their community.

From following a local Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page to building relationships with those living next door, connected communities can help prevent property and vehicle crime – and make residents feel safer at home.

The latest stats released by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency showed although overall crime offences have slightly decreased by 2.1 per cent, numbers still track higher than those recorded between 2017-2024.

Car theft from residential areas is still almost 50 per cent higher than five years ago, while more than 32,100 number plate theft offences were recorded in the year to 30 June 2026 – up 51 per cent in two years and equating to around 90 number plates being stolen every day.

During Crime Prevention month motorists can access anti-theft screws for free by visiting the Neighbourhood Watch website, as well as getting involved in other activities including:

• Joining your local Neighbourhood Watch group
• Following your local group’s page
• Attending a local Neighbourhood Watch event including ‘Coffee with a Cop’
• Ordering free anti-theft screws to secure number plates
• Taking the Neighbourhood Watch ‘How Safe Is My Place’ quiz for practical tips to help protect your home and vehicle

Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Chief Executive Officer Bambi Gordon said strong social connections are the foundation of a secure community.

“One of the easiest things Victorians can do to help protect their home and vehicles is to connect with their neighbours, whether that’s via community Facebook groups or striking up a conversation,” Ms Gordon said.

"Many of our local Group’s own Facebook page provides the perfect space to share images, discuss areas of concern from the community and reach out for help and support that you didn't even know could be available to you.

“Based on our community safety perceptions report we released with the RACV last month, we also know that forming relationships with your neighbours makes people feel safer in homes too, so there are many reasons to introduce yourself and share contact details with those nearby.

“For Crime Prevention Month we’re also offering motorists a chance to access anti-theft screws for free, as part of our Protect your Plates initiative,” Ms Gordon added.

"Stolen plates are almost never the end of the story. They are often attached to other vehicles to disguise them while offenders commit burglaries, ram raids, petrol drive-offs, toll evasion and other crimes, or to evade police.”

RACV’s General Manager Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said there were practical steps Victorians can take to get to know their neighbours.

“Reflecting on our results from the RACV Home Safety Pulse, we know being connected to your neighbours helps people feel safer and there are ways to build those relationships,” Ms Carey said.

“In addition to introducing yourself and sharing contact details you can check in on neighbours’ properties while they are away, pull bins in and off the street and organise street barbeques or walking groups.

“During Crime Prevention Month I would also encourage Victorians to order their free anti-theft screws and follow their local Neighbourhood Watch Group on Facebook – both easy steps to take to help reduce the risk of being victim to opportunist crime.”

Victorians can order their free anti-theft screws by visiting Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Protect Your Plates.

For a full list of Crime Prevention Month events across Victoria, visit Crime Prevention Month Events.