A new initiative launching today, ‘You’ve Been Checked’ by Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police is urging Victorians to lock and check their cars.

Crime Statistics Agency data shows 14,881 motor vehicle theft offences were reported state-wide in the year to March 2022. There were 47,140 thefts from motor vehicle offences during the same period.

The ‘You’ve Been Checked’ campaign encourages car owners to break the habit of leaving vehicles unlocked and valuables on display. Over the next month, members of Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police will be checking vehicles are secure and valuables are not visible at carparks across several areas including Footscray, Thomastown, Dandenong, and Geelong.

Stella Smith, Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive said: “We will be checking cars and providing safety kits to encourage people to lock and check before leaving their vehicles. In the kit, people will find a QR code, which they can scan to find out how securely they left their car and how to avoid becoming a target for thieves.”

The Crime Statistics Agency’s figures show 45 per cent of the time there is no visible force when a car is stolen. Vehicles being left unlocked is a common issue and, in some instances, stolen keys have also been used. Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police are highlighting the importance of changing behaviours when it comes to securing your vehicles and not leaving valuables on display. It only takes a second to lock your car, but it is a lengthy process to replace your phone, ID, credit cards and car, itself.

“The most common property items stolen from vehicles include cash and personal documents, car accessories, power tools, mobile phones, and laptops. Theft of property from motor vehicles can cause considerable financial loss and inconvenience. Theft of your personal documents can also lead to identity theft” says Ms Smith.

“We want Victorians to always remember to lock and check their vehicles.”

Inspector Paul Morgan from Victoria Police said: “It does not matter if you have parked at a train station, a shopping centre or at home – the single most important thing you can do to prevent your car from being stolen is to lock it. Lock your car and always physically check it is locked.”

Inspector Morgan also stated “Vehicle theft impacts people’s sense of safety. That’s why we’re so determined to address it. Working with Crime Stoppers allows us to bring attention to this issue.”