Victoria Police has detailed the grim actuality of the state’s automotive theft disaster, with thieves focusing on autos from a few of Australia’s hottest manufacturers.
Within the 12 months previous to September 2024, 25,773 autos had been stolen in Victoria – a big enhance of 6408 autos (or 33 per cent) over the earlier 12 months, and an undesirable report for the state.
In response to Victoria Police, autos made by Subaru, Holden and Toyota have seen the sharpest enhance in thefts, rising by as a lot as 108 per cent to January 2025 in comparison with the 12 months prior.
| Model | Reported thefts (12 months to January 2025) | Thefts vs five-year common | Fashions focused |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 3212 (up 76.4%) | Up approx. 170% | Hilux (2016-2023) Landcruiser (2008-2021) Camry (2014-2017) LandCruiser Prado (2012-2022) RAV4 (2019-2024) 86 (2012-2017) C-HR (2017-2020) |
| Holden | 2859 (up 92.9%) | Up approx. 170% | Commodore (VF and VF II, 2013-2017) |
| Subaru | 775 (up 107.8%) | Up approx. 180% | Impreza and WRX (2015-2018) Outback (2015-2018) XV (2014-2018) Levorg (2016-2017) |
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Victoria Police famous the altering habits of automotive thieves, with information exhibiting one in 5 autos are stolen with out their keys.
As a substitute, thieves are utilizing an OBD-reading instrument meant for mechanics and locksmiths to disable a automotive’s alarm, delete the unique keys paired to the automotive after which pair a brand new set of keys, with the one bodily necessities for criminals being hacking into the entrance bumper, disabling the horn and unlocking a door.
This technique has been extensively reported on by CarExpert, notably regarding the sharp enhance in thefts of VF Commodores.
Whereas some stolen Commodores are getting used to joyride, others are being rebirthed, by which sure figuring out options from a number of automobiles – equivalent to its Car Identification Numbers (VIN) and chassis numbers – are being transferred to cross them off as one other automobile.
In a media assertion, Victoria Police urged house owners of those focused autos to put in preventative measures equivalent to an OBD port lock.
As beforehand reported, short-term deterrents to theft embrace mechanical gadgets equivalent to Membership Locks and Cop Locks, whereas a PIN-coded immobiliser and relocated horn might additionally assist scale back the probability of your automotive being stolen.
Victoria Police has additionally suggested house owners to park their autos off the road and guarantee their autos are locked.
Worryingly, Victoria Police warned that “with out technological treatments or goal hardening measures, such because the set up of on board diagnostic port locks, it’s anticipated the variety of automotive thefts will proceed to extend domestically”.
“Modern-day automobiles are akin to computer systems on wheels and whereas this comes with loads of advantages, it additionally creates alternative for offenders,” stated Detective Inspector Julie MacDonald of the Victoria Police Car Crime Squad.
“Car immobilisers had been a know-how facilitated answer on the flip of the century – the emergence of key programming gadgets are proving to be a know-how facilitated drawback.
“It was thought of inconceivable to steal a automotive this manner as little as two years in the past. Nevertheless, offenders at the moment are utilizing these gadgets like a modern-day screwdriver to steal automobiles.
“We strongly encourage house owners of impacted automobiles to think about all doable strategies to enhance their automobile’s safety – there are a number of auto retailers and web sites that inventory these anti-theft merchandise, and employees can help with advising you on what is going to greatest fit your automobile.
“Car house owners may converse with producers or their insurance coverage brokers for additional recommendation.”
Final month, CarExpert contacted former Holden mum or dad firm Basic Motors concerning the utilization of the OBD instrument to steal Commodores.
“GMANZ is conscious of studies of auto thefts the place offenders are misusing an aftermarket locksmith’s instrument offered for common automobile use,” a Basic Motors spokesperson instructed CarExpert.
“The acquisition of this instrument is presently unregulated.”
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