Lock it or lose it: Melbourne's car theft epidemic sparks demand for smarter security
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As car thefts become increasingly common, residents are urged to take extra precautions to secure their vehicles. Opportunistic thieves are exploiting unlocked cars to steal valuables, leading to a surge in theft incidents.
This rise in crime is not only causing distress among victims but also impacting insurance costs.
Authorities stress the importance of locking vehicles and removing valuables to prevent becoming a target for these criminals.
Thieves target unlocked cars in Melbourne's suburbs, stealing valuable items and leaving victims to bear the costs of their losses.
The statistics are alarming: police data showed a 19 per cent increase in theft from motor vehicles across the state.
In raw numbers, that's over 20,000 cars stolen last year, up from 16,000 the year before.
However, these aren't just numbers; they represent the distress and inconvenience to victims like Payal Kaur, an immigration lawyer whose unlocked car became a treasure trove for thieves.
Her designer handbag, Gucci sunglasses and MacBook Pro, which contained sensitive client information, were all snatched away.
‘I was really, really panicked,’ she recounted.
‘Clients' passport details, visa details, card details, so I don't want that to be misused in any way.’
The desperation to recover her belongings, especially her laptop, led her and her husband to track the device to a nearby home, where they requested the return of the stolen property.
‘I questioned him, “Where did you get the laptop from?”, he said Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, he doesn't remember,’ Kaur narrated.
Sadly, this story is not unique. Sergeant Darcy Spence from the Wyndham Vehicle Crime Reduction Team noted a significant jump in thieves targeting unlocked vehicles.
‘They are just trying every single car until they find an unlocked door handle,’ he explained.
Canstar CEO Steve Mickenbecker pointed out that the rise in car thefts also had a direct impact on insurance premiums.
‘Cars are being trashed and written off; it's a big cost for insurers to replace,’ he said.
Canstar reported that Victorians paid an average of $2,195 for comprehensive car insurance premiums in the previous year, an increase of $310 compared to the year prior—marking a 16 per cent surge.
In the Wyndham area alone, nearly 2,000 vehicles experienced break-ins or thefts.
Police data indicated that over 63 per cent of the cars burgled in April showed no signs of forced entry.
Additionally, thieves are employing sophisticated tactics, such as hacking into vehicles and utilising devices to deceive the car into detecting the presence of keys.
‘If you're leaving your car unlocked, you could be void of your policy,’ Mr Mickenbecker warned.
As car thefts continue to surge in Melbourne, opportunistic thieves are targeting unlocked cars, posing a significant risk to residents' vehicles and properties.
Recent statistics revealed a shocking spike in youth crime, raising concerns about the safety of both vehicles and homes.
With thieves employing increasingly sophisticated tactics such as hacking into vehicles, it's imperative for residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard their possessions.
Have you or someone you know been a victim of this crime? How do you ensure the safety of your belongings in your cars and homes? We invite you to share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below.
This rise in crime is not only causing distress among victims but also impacting insurance costs.
Authorities stress the importance of locking vehicles and removing valuables to prevent becoming a target for these criminals.
Thieves target unlocked cars in Melbourne's suburbs, stealing valuable items and leaving victims to bear the costs of their losses.
The statistics are alarming: police data showed a 19 per cent increase in theft from motor vehicles across the state.
In raw numbers, that's over 20,000 cars stolen last year, up from 16,000 the year before.
Car thefts in Melbourne surged last year, with over 20,000 vehicles stolen, marking an increase from the previous year. Credits: Shutterstock
However, these aren't just numbers; they represent the distress and inconvenience to victims like Payal Kaur, an immigration lawyer whose unlocked car became a treasure trove for thieves.
Her designer handbag, Gucci sunglasses and MacBook Pro, which contained sensitive client information, were all snatched away.
‘I was really, really panicked,’ she recounted.
‘Clients' passport details, visa details, card details, so I don't want that to be misused in any way.’
The desperation to recover her belongings, especially her laptop, led her and her husband to track the device to a nearby home, where they requested the return of the stolen property.
‘I questioned him, “Where did you get the laptop from?”, he said Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, he doesn't remember,’ Kaur narrated.
Sadly, this story is not unique. Sergeant Darcy Spence from the Wyndham Vehicle Crime Reduction Team noted a significant jump in thieves targeting unlocked vehicles.
‘They are just trying every single car until they find an unlocked door handle,’ he explained.
Canstar CEO Steve Mickenbecker pointed out that the rise in car thefts also had a direct impact on insurance premiums.
‘Cars are being trashed and written off; it's a big cost for insurers to replace,’ he said.
Canstar reported that Victorians paid an average of $2,195 for comprehensive car insurance premiums in the previous year, an increase of $310 compared to the year prior—marking a 16 per cent surge.
In the Wyndham area alone, nearly 2,000 vehicles experienced break-ins or thefts.
Police data indicated that over 63 per cent of the cars burgled in April showed no signs of forced entry.
Additionally, thieves are employing sophisticated tactics, such as hacking into vehicles and utilising devices to deceive the car into detecting the presence of keys.
‘If you're leaving your car unlocked, you could be void of your policy,’ Mr Mickenbecker warned.
As car thefts continue to surge in Melbourne, opportunistic thieves are targeting unlocked cars, posing a significant risk to residents' vehicles and properties.
Recent statistics revealed a shocking spike in youth crime, raising concerns about the safety of both vehicles and homes.
With thieves employing increasingly sophisticated tactics such as hacking into vehicles, it's imperative for residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard their possessions.
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