New data released by Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency shows the number of cars being stolen has increased significantly over the past year.
According to official figures, there were 28,482 motor vehicle thefts in the garden state in the 12 months to June 2025 – compared with just 20,477 the previous year.
The statistics are even more alarming when compared to 2022, with 13,185 cars stolen during that period – revealing a 116 per cent increase in just three years.
Motor vehicle thefts in Victoria are now at their highest level in more than two decades, with child offenders responsible for more than one in four of all cars stolen.
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While those figures represent successful motor vehicle thefts, the number of attempted thefts also rose dramatically between 2024 and 2025, jumping from 2755 to 4536 – or 65 per cent – suggesting police and vehicle owners may increasingly be making life more difficult for offenders.
The number of total recorded offences in the state increased by 15.7 per cent over the past 12 months to June, however, officials say one of the main contributors was the number of thefts (and attempted thefts) from a motor vehicle, which jumped almost 50 per cent.
According to Victoria Police, number plates are the most common item taken from cars, accounting for 40 per cent of those offences – with stolen plates typically attached to stolen cars to help evade police or steal petrol.
Aggravated home burglaries – which are often linked to a resident’s car being stolen – have also increased by 20 per cent in Victoria in 2025, while attempted aggravated burglaries went up by 42.5 per cent.
According to police, repeat child offenders – aged between 10 and 17 – are over-represented, with 1128 children being arrested a combined 7118 times over the 12 months to June. On average, each one of these youths is taken into custody at least once every eight weeks.
While there were 149 fewer children arrested compared with 2024, the total number of arrests went up by 26.7 per cent.
Police say at least one in five cars is stolen using electronic key reprogramming or mimicking technology, with more than 800 devices having been seized by authorities in the past year.
“As a society, we simply cannot allow the level of crime we are seeing to become normalised and accepted – every Victorian deserves to feel safe in their home, within the community and on the roads,” Victoria Police Deputy Commussioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said in a statement.
“Victoria Police is tackling these issues head on. Our members are doing exceptional work to resolve these crimes. But it must be said – the number of arrests we are seeing reflects an unacceptable level of offending,” he said.
“And we will encourage the community to keep taking simple steps to help prevent crime, such as locking doors and considering anti-theft devices for vehicles.”
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