Where do most car thefts occur in Victoria?

Which areas are car thieves focusing on the most?

The City of Melbourne had the most cars stolen in Victoria during 2024, while other hotspots were found across the greater metropolitan area – from Casey in the outer south-east to Hume in the north-west. Among the top 10 most targeted areas, Whittlesea in the outer north-east had the biggest increase in car theft, up 73 per cent compared to 2023.

Top 10 areas in Victoria for motor vehicle theft offences in 2024

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley says the rate of theft offences being recorded per 100,000 Victorians has exceeded historical peaks, with record-high numbers of "steal from motor vehicle", "steal from retail store" and "motor vehicle theft" offences being recorded by Victoria Police in 2024.

“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature and may be linked to cost-of-living pressures,” she says. “Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles.”

The rising car theft rates have prompted Victoria Police to repeat its warning that vehicles with electronic push-start technology (keyless start) have become a prime target. With no ignition key required, thieves are using third-party electronic devices, typically through the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, to override the vehicle’s security system and start the engine.

See our separate guide on ‘How to prevent push-start car theft with an OBD lock’.

More: What to do if your car is stolen

Where are most cars stolen from in Victoria?

Most motor vehicle thefts occur on the street or footpath, accounting for 30 per cent (8569) of all vehicles stolen in Victoria in 2024. However, a large proportion are also stolen from residential locations such as houses and apartments – 23 per cent (6586) from a private dwelling and 18 per cent (5193) from residential grounds such as a garage, carport, lawn or driveway.

Single-level and multi-level public carparks are also a popular target for thieves, accounting for 10 per cent (2878) of all motor vehicles stolen in Victoria in 2024, while retail locations such as shopping centres made up 6 per cent (1658).

RACV General Manager Motoring Products Jeff Ames urges all Victorians to complete a car security check, as the statistics are showing it’s far too easy for thieves to access valuables in a car – and to steal the car itself.

“Opportunistic thieves will break into or enter a car and take possessions that are easily visible from outside the vehicle, often using the opportunity to steal the car itself,” he said.

“It’s crucial to protect your vehicle, including when it’s parked at home, in the street or even in secure carparks. If your car is parked at home in a driveway, this doesn’t mean it’s completely safe either – don’t forget to lock the doors, wind up windows and ensure nothing valuable is in plain sight.”

How many cars are broken into and where?

Theft from motor vehicles is also on the rise, with 75,731 incidents recorded in Victoria in 2024, a 33 per cent increase from the previous year. 

Most thefts occurred on the street or footpath (29,038). However, large numbers were also seen in driveways and carports (12,847). Multi-dwelling residential carparks were also a big target (2731), as were single- and multi-level public carparks (8526).

Top 10 areas in Victoria for theft from a motor vehicle in 2024

Neighbourhood Watch Victoria CEO Bambi Gordon says owners need to be vigilant and alert to suspicious behaviour. “Crime is opportunistic and we can remove that opportunity by keeping an eye on each other, reporting crimes and suspicious behaviour when we see it and using preventative security measures,” she says.

Wherever possible, Gordon recommends parking in a locked garage or at least behind a locked gate so that it takes away the opportunity for an offender to quickly jump into and steal the car. See our guide on How to improve the security of your driveway or carport.

Other ways to reduce at-home vehicle theft include installing sensor lights and security cameras, ensuring garage access points are highly visible and never letting an unfamiliar car follow you into a communal garage.

After numberplates, power tools were the second most stolen item from a car, which highlights the need for tradespeople to protect their tools at home, on the road and at work.

More: How to protect tradie tools from theft

Number plate theft offences are rising sharply

A whopping 26,951 number plate theft offences were recorded in Victoria in 2024, marking a 46 per cent increase over the previous year.

The North West Metro police region had the highest number of these offences (11,734), and as seen with stolen cars, Whittlesea had the biggest year-on-year increase among the top 10 areas for number plate theft. Breaking down the figures into local government areas, the City of Casey in the Southern Metro region was the hotspot for number plate theft with more than 2000 offences committed last year.

Top 10 areas in Victoria for number plate theft in 2024

“Stolen number plates are attached to other vehicles – many of which are stolen – to help offenders fly under the radar and commit further crimes including aggravated burglaries, arson attacks, drug trafficking and petrol drive-offs,” says Victoria Police’s Casey Local Area Commander, Inspector Stu Richards.

“Parking in a secure area such a garage would be ideal scenario, however, we understand that not every resident or visitor to the area is able to do so.

“Having to replace your plates is not only an inconvenience, it’s also costly, especially if you keep receiving tolls or fines once they’re in the hands of criminals. That’s why we encourage vehicle owners to use anti-theft screws to deter thieves in the first instance. These screws are available free-of-charge at your local police station.”

Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch also regularly conduct Safe Plate Days to help educate car owners and install anti-theft screws on their vehicles.

“If a would-be offender can see that the number plates have anti-theft screws fitted, they might think twice about stealing the car,” said Neighbourhood Watch’s Bambi Gordon. “They are going to have a challenge to swap the plates.”

More: How to help protect your car from number plate theft

Neighbourhood Watch takes action

In response to growing concerns about vehicle theft and items being stolen from vehicles across Victoria, Neighbourhood Watch, supported by RACV, has launched ‘How safe is my vehicle?' – an online quiz designed to help owners protect their cars and belongings from theft.

The quiz provides practical advice, security recommendations and step-by-step guidance for car owners to protect their vehicle, including caravans. The report generated from the quiz includes information about the latest anti-theft technologies, best practices for secure parking and tips to prevent theft from vehicles.

You can find the quiz online at howsafeismyplace.com.au/vehicle/. It also complements other free resources at Neighbourhood Watch covering safety in the home, an apartment, on a farm and at school.

“The ‘How safe is my vehicle?’ quiz puts practical prevention tools directly into the hands of vehicle owners, empowering them to take proactive steps to protect their vehicle,” says Gordon. “This initiative comes at a crucial time as vehicle-related crime continues to impact Victorian communities.”

More: How to improve security in your neighbourhood

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