RACV is calling on Victorian drivers to improve vehicle security practices following a significant increase in car thefts across the state.
Recent statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) revealed that 28,922 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024 – the most in more than two decades and a 41% increase compared to the previous year.
Jeff Ames, general manager of motoring products at RACV, said that many thefts are occurring under avoidable circumstances.
“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.
The spike in thefts reflects wider crime trends in Victoria, where overall recorded offences rose by 16% in 2024.
The highest number of vehicle thefts occurred in Melbourne (1,633), followed by Casey (1,537), Hume (1,413), and Wyndham (1,398).
Whittlesea, in Melbourne’s outer north-east, experienced the sharpest rise, with a 73.2% increase from the prior year.
Fiona Dowsley, chief statistician at the CSA, noted that vehicle-related crimes were among several offence categories reaching record highs.
“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature and may be linked to cost-of-living pressures,” she said. “Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles.”
While 30% of vehicle thefts in Victoria occurred on public roads or footpaths, a combined 41% were from private residences – including garages, driveways, and apartment blocks.
Multi-storey and open-air public carparks accounted for 10% of incidents, with shopping centres making up a further 6%.
Vehicles with keyless ignition systems are increasingly being targeted by offenders using devices to bypass onboard security.
Victoria Police has noted growing misuse of these technologies through vehicle diagnostic ports.
Alongside complete vehicle theft, theft from vehicles rose to 75,731 incidents in 2024 – a 33% increase from 2023. Common targets included tools and number plates, particularly from trade vehicles and parked cars in residential and retail settings.
Melbourne topped the list for thefts from vehicles, followed by Casey, Wyndham, and Hume. Public streets were the primary locations, but driveways and shared residential carparks also saw substantial activity.
Stolen number plates, which are often used to conceal stolen vehicles or evade law enforcement, rose by 46% to 26,951 offences. Casey recorded the highest number of plate thefts (2,063), while Whittlesea saw the largest increase at over 100%.
Inspector Stu Richards of Victoria Police’s Casey division said plate security is an essential part of vehicle protection.
“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,” he said.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, in partnership with RACV, has introduced the “How Safe Is My Vehicle?” quiz to raise public awareness of vehicle-related crime.
The tool offers personalised advice on parking safety, visibility, and the use of anti-theft devices.
Bambi Gordon, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said the program is designed to encourage small but effective changes.
“If a would-be offender can see that the number plates have anti-theft screws fitted, they might think twice about stealing the car,” she said. “They are going to have a challenge to swap the plates.”
The campaign also connects with broader community safety efforts focused on homes, schools, and rural properties.
In related insights, ROLLiN’ Insurance analysed more than 18 million kilometres of driving data via its Safe’n’Save app.
South Australia had the safest drivers, followed by Queensland and Western Australia. Geelong topped the city rankings with a score of 92 out of 100.
The ACT recorded the lowest safety score at 86.4, consistent with an iSelect survey that reported higher-than-average rates of speeding, mobile phone use, and fatigued driving in the region.
