Car theft data shows 25-year high for Melbourne & Victoria

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates.

Car theft across Victoria has surged to its highest level in 25 years, according to new data from the Crime Statistics Agency.

Almost 33,000 vehicles were stolen in the 12 months to June 2025. That’s up sharply from just over 23,000 the year before. The rise means theft levels are now worse than both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic years.

The hardest-hit local government areas were Casey, Melbourne, Hume and Wyndham, each recording more than 1,700 thefts in 2025.

Long-term data shows some regions have seen dramatic growth since 2016. Theft more than doubled in Whitehorse and more than tripled in South Gippsland. Other areas, such as the Yarra Ranges, remain below their 2016 levels despite recent increases.

Experts say the surge is partly driven by thieves using easily purchased diagnostic tools, which can be plugged into modern cars to bypass security systems.

Authorities warn drivers to stay alert and take extra steps to protect their vehicles.

Stay tuned with Aus News Lanka – the leading platform for news for Australians.