betty boop Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Car thefts and thefts from cars seem to be on a high... Google says.... "In the 12 months to June 2024, Victoria experienced a record high in car thefts, with over 23,248 thefts or attempted thefts recorded, a 25% increase and a 4,500-offense increase compared to the previous period. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Record High: Car thefts in Victoria have reached a 10-year high, with 23,248 thefts or attempted thefts recorded in the 12 months to June 2024. Significant Increase: This represents a 25% increase and a 4,500-offense increase compared to the previous period. Attempted Thefts: There was a spike of 43% in attempted thefts, with 2,760 offences recorded. Items Stolen: There were 9,000 instances of items being stolen from inside vehicles, an increase of 17.2%. " push button start cars cars, are now days being stolen via the OBD port... RACV and police are suggesting a OD port lock if have a push button start car... https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/cars/prevent-push-start-car-theft-obd-lock.html additionally if you dont want your plates stolen .. police will give you anti theft screws.. available from police station.. standard screw driver will get them on.. need a bolt extractor to remove which is slow and needs special tools... https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/why-number-plates-get-stolen-and-how-to-protect-yourself-from-it/? we tend to be also careful where we park and dont leave anything easily visible to steal... 2 1
David A Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Lol, I don't think anyone will be rushing to steal my 2010 Toyota Camry. In any case, I'm pretty sure it has an engine emobilser. And the dash cams may lead a potential thief to think there is also a GPS tracking module onboard. Prob enough to deter your average dipshit car thief. Otherwise common sense...I don't leave valuables in view for thieves.
Addicted to music Posted March 18 Posted March 18 The majority of these by 2/3 are break and entry to premises and gaining access to the keys then taking off with you vehicle. The current Bail laws in Victoria has this way too easy as they are let off on bail and repeat the offence the same day they are let off! Apparently there are 11 items that the Judge ticks to allow for bail, any one of these items ticked gives them access to bail. Therefore you see these "kids" as young as 11 to 25 do it time and tme again terrorising the community all in the name of some right winger in parliment that decided the human rights of these offenders, what it forgets its the "human rights of the victims" As far as Im concerned you give up your human rights if you break into someones home to steal the car keys and making off with that vehicle. One guy was let off on bail stole a vehicle the very next day and killed an aspiring doctor yet still get let off on bail after that offence and multiple others, if that was me or you we'll be looked up for good! Apprently a partition done by FOX FM has forced change and some of the toughest implementations are being decided today. That said the latest trend is if you go to a gym, do not let anyone follow you in without there pass, they are targeting gyms to access keys and making off with vehicles. Someone I met in Chadstone told me a gym in Moorabbin had 6 vehicles dissappeared in one week! All due to someone access the gym being let in via the front access that reqiures security access. If youre accessing a gym, dont even leave your personnal item espcially car keys in an allocated locker, take them with you and have eyes on them constantly. This isnt just one area but all over Victoria. I now take the car keys with me to bed! possible thinking about getting a golf club too as these oxygen thieves ae now using machetes and are absolute violent. I have 2 Security cameras installed infront of the house , one on each side of the property all monitoring vehicles parked that has PIR and heat sensors that activate an integrated flood light to detect vehicles, people and animals that give me those alerts on a phone app as it happens is very effective to keep track. They caught a vehicle going down the street a number of times slowly, scouting for potential opprtunities where i gave chase on foot to get a rego and then rang it in to 000 police, something that you dont notice if you didnt have them. Be aware of rubbish getting dumped infront of your house as i was seeing multiple times where macca wrappers, drink containers including plastic bottles and cans getting constantly dumped before my vehicle got broken into. Once it was brocken into the rubbish dumping stopped! So make sure you are vigilent with your surrondings and look for markers that may make your premises a potential or future target. 1 1
betty boop Posted March 18 Author Posted March 18 On 18/03/2025 at 10:36 AM, David A said: Lol, I don't think anyone will be rushing to steal my 2010 Toyota Camry. In any case, I'm pretty sure it has an engine emobilser. And the dash cams may lead a potential thief to think there is also a GPS tracking module onboard. Prob enough to deter your average dipshit car thief. Otherwise common sense...I don't leave valuables in view for thieves. Expand anything stopping them stealing your number plates ? even if dont want your care about the car.....they want your number plates it seems ! .. have a look at the quantity of number plates being stolen.. pretty huge ! shudder to think what all is happening with them ... toyota camry also seems targeted.. though yours might not be a target given a tad older than 2014-2017 model they are looking for https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/toyota-holden-subaru-thefts-rise-massively-in-this-australian-state
Addicted to music Posted March 18 Posted March 18 On one of the community Crime Watch on FB, there is address thats well known where residence living in the street are contacting each other on this well known address, they check the number plate of every vehicle that parks infront of it and they check the stolen vehicle website. If there are no plates or they identify a stolen vehicle they report it to the police and they see the police pull up and not long after a tow truck also show up! The people are renting there and the residence know what theya re up to, well done to these guys reporting and getting them charged
David A Posted March 18 Posted March 18 (edited) @betty boop I have number plate covers fitted which is another thing a time-pinched thief would have to remove before unscrewing my plates. And given I mostly park in busy car parks during the day for shopping, and don't leave my car parked at a railway station for work.. I think a crook would likely move onto the next car. Final thought...It's a good thing I don't daily a Brock "Bluey"! Edited March 18 by David A 1
betty boop Posted March 18 Author Posted March 18 published today was Australia’s worst regions for car theft revealed https://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-s-worst-regions-for-car-theft-revealed-20250318-p5lkig.html New data revealed 6919 car theft claims were made in Queensland in 2024, compared with 3434 in 2015 – a 101 per cent increase. This scourge cost victims $113 million in 2024, compared with $28 million nine years ago – a nation-leading 305 per cent increase. Rural and regional Queenslanders most frequently made insurance claims, with more than 4000 in 2024, compared with 2000 in 2015. car thieves were also rampant in Victoria, with the number of claims rising 70 per cent in 2024 to a nation-leading 9816, compared with 5778 in 2015. The cost of Victoria’s claims was $173 million in 2024, compared with $46 million in 2015, according to Insurance Council of Australia data. In contrast, car theft claims fell by 20 per cent in Western Australia, where the 4316 claims cost $25 million. In NSW, there were 5718 claims worth $101 million in 2024, while South Australia had 1473 claims worth $16 million. even if your car is not stolen it means... insurance premiums will rise..
Martykt Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Car thefts are down 50% where I live from two cars last year to one car this year... I'm very careful where I live to make sure to maybe lock my car and take the keys out of it on busy tourist weekends/holidays...
Kaynin Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 18/03/2025 at 11:06 AM, Addicted to music said: The people are renting there and the residence know what theya re up to, well done to these guys reporting and getting them charged Expand A lease condition is that criminal activity will breach a tenancy, as well as causing any detriment to the surrounds (so basically bad behaviour). A complaint to the managing agent could result in the tenants being evicted. 1
Kaynin Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 18/03/2025 at 11:04 AM, betty boop said: anything stopping them stealing your number plates ? even if dont want your care about the car.....they want your number plates it seems ! .. have a look at the quantity of number plates being stolen.. pretty huge ! shudder to think what all is happening with them ... Expand The majority of these will be petrol drive-offs. Not surprising considering the cost of living crisis. The car thief vs number plate thief are usually different offenders with different purposes. The car thief is using the vehicle for another job like a burg, whereas the plate thief attaches it to their own car, fills up with gas and then discards the plates soon after. Stolen plates aren't often recovered, and usually only used once. You can buy a tool to remove the anti-theft screws. Bunnings used to sell them off the shelf, but I think that's changed - hopefully anyway. Any step is worth reducing your chances of being a victim. My neighbour used to park two cars out the front of their house, both Toyota Camrys, I never do. They were a victim of a burg where the offenders took the keys to one of the keys, but were disturbed and drove off. They asked why they were selected, I told them because they park their cars out the front. Simple. 1
Full Range Posted March 19 Posted March 19 A mechanical detergent is best Wheel clamp or jaw clamp - yes one can purchase them Steering wheel lock via the brake pedal When it’s to hard or takes to long ? a criminal will look for a softer target When I go on a holiday I use one or both of these methods 2
MrBurns84 Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 18/03/2025 at 11:00 AM, Addicted to music said: That said the latest trend is if you go to a gym, do not let anyone follow you in without there pass, they are targeting gyms to access keys and making off with vehicles. Someone I met in Chadstone told me a gym in Moorabbin had 6 vehicles dissappeared in one week! All due to someone access the gym being let in via the front access that reqiures security access. If youre accessing a gym, dont even leave your personnal item espcially car keys in an allocated locker, take them with you and have eyes on them constantly. This isnt just one area but all over Victoria. Expand So true. A friend of mine fell victim to this, as he was distracted talking to a female gym member, he left his gym bum bag at the members storage rack, and after his workout he couldnt find his keys and wallet but the drink bottle and towel was there. Reported the issue and the camera footage pointed to 2 young ladies worked in tandem to pull that off. He never had this issue over the last 10 years working out there as members had to swipe in to get in. 1
David A Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 19/03/2025 at 2:08 AM, Full Range said: A mechanical detergent is best Wheel clamp or jaw clamp - yes one can purchase them Steering wheel lock via the brake pedal When it’s to hard or takes to long ? a criminal will look for a softer target When I go on a holiday I use one or both of these methods Expand Steering wheel locks
Kaynin Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 19/03/2025 at 9:36 AM, David A said: Steering wheel locks Expand Yes, indeed. They just pull off.
Full Range Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 19/03/2025 at 9:36 AM, David A said: Steering wheel locks Expand On 19/03/2025 at 10:24 AM, Kaynin said: Yes, indeed. They just pull off. Expand I agree the cheep and nasty units are crapola - But Get a high grade well designed unit also one and one that locks the brake pedal and I would like to see you break one 1
Kaynin Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 19/03/2025 at 11:35 AM, Full Range said: I agree the cheep and nasty units are crapola - But Get a high grade well designed unit also one and one that locks the brake pedal and I would like to see you break one Expand Sorry to shatter your dreams, but they pull off. No steering wheel lock is secure.
Full Range Posted March 19 Posted March 19 On 19/03/2025 at 12:36 PM, Kaynin said: Sorry to shatter your dreams, but they pull off. No steering wheel lock is secure. Expand I mentioned wheel locks as my first choice Me thinks you are not imagining the same unit as me for steering wheel lock
bob_m_54 Posted March 20 Posted March 20 On 19/03/2025 at 12:43 PM, Full Range said: I mentioned wheel locks as my first choice Me thinks you are not imagining the same unit as me for steering wheel lock Expand What brand is that? Back in the 90s, I used to have a 1979 HZ 253 V8 Holden, with Delta deep dish mags, and new paint job. And at the time I was living in Laverton, Vic. My mate had a similar HZ, and his was stolen twice in two months. He didn't get it back the second time. I used to have a piece of high tensile steel chain, with 12mm links, that I used to wrap around the steering wheel, cross bar and rim, and then down to the brake pedal, and secured with two solid Lockwood heavy duty padlocks. It was a PITA to fit, but it gave me a little bit of peace of mind at least.
Full Range Posted March 20 Posted March 20 On 20/03/2025 at 2:01 AM, bob_m_54 said: What brand is that? Back in the 90s, I used to have a 1979 HZ 253 V8 Holden, with Delta deep dish mags, and new paint job. And at the time I was living in Laverton, Vic. My mate had a similar HZ, and his was stolen twice in two months. He didn't get it back the second time. I used to have a piece of high tensile steel chain, with 12mm links, that I used to wrap around the steering wheel, cross bar and rim, and then down to the brake pedal, and secured with two solid Lockwood heavy duty padlocks. It was a PITA to fit, but it gave me a little bit of peace of mind at least. Expand You can get it on Amazon just search for Bunker BP80B The new way now is a wire lock One loops it on the steering wheel and then it clicks in and auto locks the seat belt clip Then you need a key to unlock it
bob_m_54 Posted March 20 Posted March 20 On 20/03/2025 at 2:56 AM, Full Range said: You can get it on Amazon just search for Bunker BP80B The new way now is a wire lock One loops it on the steering wheel and then it clicks in and auto locks the seat belt clip Then you need a key to unlock it Expand Yeah, 20 seconds for the cable one, 30 odd seconds for the bunker BP80B 1
sloper Posted March 20 Posted March 20 On 18/03/2025 at 11:16 AM, David A said: @betty boop I have number plate covers fitted which is another thing a time-pinched thief would have to remove before unscrewing my plates. And given I mostly park in busy car parks during the day for shopping, and don't leave my car parked at a railway station for work.. I think a crook would likely move onto the next car. Final thought...It's a good thing I don't daily a Brock "Bluey"! Expand All my friends with Brocks have alarms, bollards, camera's and tracking. Some are even hiding them. Our VF and VE have a port lock, wiring relocated and a steering wheel to seat belt lock. And all a well insured. But that doesnt stop somebody breaking in hitting you over the head with a machete and stealing your keys. regards Bruce 2
sloper Posted March 20 Posted March 20 And club locks work really well but are hard on the interior, thats why l went for this. https://www.amazon.com.au/MAEZOE-Steering-Buckle-Anti-Theft-Prevention/ regards Bruce 1
Full Range Posted March 21 Posted March 21 On 20/03/2025 at 8:16 PM, sloper said: All my friends with Brocks have alarms, bollards, camera's and tracking. Some are even hiding them. Our VF and VE have a port lock, wiring relocated and a steering wheel to seat belt lock. And all a well insured. But that doesnt stop somebody breaking in hitting you over the head with a machete and stealing your keys. regards Bruce Expand My mechanical career as an apprentice started in 1976 and my craftsman certificate of proficiency as a Motor Mechanic was issued 4 years later in 1980 I have worked on on and driven / ridden more models and brands of cars bikes and boats than most people can name I also specialised on setting up street cars for 1/4 mile drag racing, and designed some quick coupling systems for exhaust bypass to get more power to the wheels Prior to the computer control systems on cars the easiest ways to stop thieves was to remove the coil wire as thieves don’t carry a coil wire Both customers and our own street drag cars were expensive so - Later I had an auto electrician make me a kill switch that connected to a coil terminal so all that was to press the switch that was positioned on the underside and looked like it was part of the system Now with the current computer control systems on cars the only sure way to stop professional thieves is a similar way to what was used in the past Open the bonnet - find and open the cover of the fuse box and remove the fuel control module Without it the car will not start and the only way to steel that car is to use a tow truck Now the physical way that I have noted above with wheel locks ect is to impede and deter add hock machete in hand opportunistic youths that are now scourge in our society Every theft equates to a rise in our insurance premiums - so everyone pays eventually 1
wasabijim Posted March 21 Posted March 21 over drinks once this random chap had the idea of locking the drivers seat forward as far as possible - you can't steal a car if you can't drive it and you can't drive it if the wheel and pedals and seating are obstructed and rendered in operable. He wanted to patent his idea even. not sure if he got any traction tho... 3
Martykt Posted March 21 Posted March 21 On 21/03/2025 at 12:41 AM, Full Range said: Prior to the computer control systems on cars the easiest ways to stop thieves was to remove the coil wire as thieves don’t carry a coil wire Expand I used to take the rotor button with me, that way they wouldn't even be able to see something missing !!
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