Crime Stoppers Victoria launches new campaign as home burglars continue to prey on unlocked homes
Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are reminding the community to lock their homes over coming weeks, as many people head away over the Easter and Anzac Day period.
This timely reminder coincides with the launch of a new Crime Stoppers Victoria campaign which urges the community to lock their homes at all times.
‘The Key to Safety: Is it Locked?’ campaign encourages Victorians to take small but effective steps to protect their homes, such as locking all doors and windows, and to provide home security footage to Crime Stoppers.
This advice is supported by new Victoria Police intelligence which reveals home burglaries in key hotspots continue to be driven by offenders targeting unlocked homes for car keys.
In March 2025, as many as eight out of ten aggravated burglaries were either due to unlocked doors/windows or unsuccessful attempts when the offender realised the home was locked, before moving on.
A further breakdown from known offending hotspots shows that in March 2025:
- 82% of aggravated burglaries across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula were due to unlocked doors/windows or were failed attempts.
- Only 18% of aggravated burglaries across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula showed signs of forced entry.
- 69% of aggravated burglaries across Boroondara, Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse were due to unlocked doors/windows or were failed attempts.
- Only 14% of aggravated burglaries across Boroondara, Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse showed signs of forced entry. The circumstances around the other 17% of aggravated burglaries could not be determined.
- 65% of aggravated burglaries across Kingston, Glen Eira and Bayside were due to unlocked doors/windows or were failed attempts.
- Only 12% of aggravated burglaries in Kingston, Glen Eira and Bayside showed signs of forced entry. The circumstances around the other 23% of aggravated burglaries could not be determined.
- Other trends police have observed include offenders targeting unlocked doggy doors, as well as entering homes through unlocked garages with adjoining doors to the inside of the house.
With aggravated burglaries increasing by almost 27% last year, Crime Stoppers Victoria CEO Stella Smith is urging households to focus on simple, practical steps to improve home security.
“These crimes are often opportunistic. A locked door, lighting, a home security camera—these are small actions, but they make a real difference. They tell would-be intruders that this home isn’t an easy target.”
Ms Smith also encourages the public to share information about suspicious activity and suspected offenders with Crime Stoppers.
“Providing information to Crime Stoppers can make a huge difference—even something like sharing doorbell or home security footage could help identify an offender or prevent another break-in. Your information can be shared anonymously.”
“This is about putting clear, practical advice in people’s hands so they can take action and help prevent crime where they live.”
Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Therese Fitzgerald says while police will continue to play their part by locking up burglars each night, the community also has a key role to play.
“Police are locking up burglars and car thieves in enormous numbers – in fact, Operation Trinity has led to burglars and car thieves being arrested around 1,600 times over the past year.
“The unfortunate reality is we live in a time where criminals are looking to seize on any vulnerability and unlocked homes are at the top of the list.
“Offenders regularly admit in police interviews that they keep trying homes until finding one that’s unlocked, and our new intelligence supports this.
“As many as 80% of aggravated burglaries in key hotspots last month were due to either unlocked doors or windows, or unsuccessful attempts before the offender moved on.
“The message is clear – if you lock your doors, your chances of falling victim dramatically decrease.”
“The announcement of the new Crime Stoppers campaign is very timely, as we know many will be taking the opportunity to head away over the Easter and Anzac Day period this year.
“Holiday periods are always peak season for home burglaries, so if you’re heading away, please lock up, let your neighbours know your plans, and get them to bring your bins and mail in.”
For emergencies or life-threatening situations, always call 000 immediately.
If you have information about retail crime, you can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers Victoria by calling 1800 333 000 or submitting an online report at crimestoppersvic.com.au