Vehicle theft and vehicle contents theft have spiked in Victoria, prompting calls for car owners to better secure their vehicles and personal belongings inside.
More than 21,400 vehicle thefts or attempted vehicle thefts were recorded in the 12 months to March 2024, according to Victoria. Crime Statistics Agency.
This figure increased by nearly 4,000, or 22 percent, compared to the same period 12 months ago.
Vehicle theft also increased 18.6 percent to 59,000 incidents.
In response to the latest data, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has issued a newsletter to drivers encouraging them to focus more on vehicle security to combat such crimes, and has made five recommendations.
RACV recommends that motorists install number plate anti-theft screws to prevent number plate theft.
The study also recommends that drivers keep valuable personal items in their vehicles out of sight.
Other recommended security measures include parking in a secure location such as a garage or gated driveway, and making sure the vehicle is locked when leaving the vehicle.
Parking cars are the number one target for thieves, with 6,365 vehicle thefts and 22,471 property thefts recorded over the 12-month period.
Finally, RACV encourages car owners to review their car insurance policy to maintain appropriate levels of cover.
“Given the opportunity, thieves will break into a car and take visible items from the outside, often using this opportunity to steal the car itself. That’s why it’s so important to protect your car, even when it’s parked at home,” said RACV general manager of automotive products Jeff Ames.
“Unfortunately, just because you park your car in a private driveway doesn’t mean it’s completely safe, so don’t forget to lock your doors, close your windows and make sure you don’t leave any valuables in plain sight.
“License plates are ranked as one of the most stolen items from cars. These plates are then attached to stolen vehicles and used to commit crimes including break-ins, fuel theft and burglaries.”
