Victoria Police has seized more than 900 key cloning devices from car thieves across the state in the past year as the force proactively mails safety advice to owners whose vehicles are at particular risk.
Police intelligence reveals almost half (43 per cent) of these devices were seized by police at search warrants and during intercepts of suspicious vehicles in the North West Metro Region.
The main areas included the Melton, Whittlesea and Hume PSAs.
The remainder of the devices were seized in the Southern Metro Region (23 per cent), followed by the Eastern region (21 per cent) and the Western Region (11 per cent).
Police estimate more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen using these key cloning devices each year – equating to 30 cars being taken in this way every day across the state.
Thieves are using the mimicking and cloning technology to override car security systems, with popular makes and models with push start ignitions of main target.
Toyota Corollas, Toyota Landcruisers, Holden Commodores, Hiluxs, Rav 4s and Subaru Imprezas are among the most targeted vehicles by car thieves.
Victoria Police is continuing to work hard to track down car thieves and make arrests, with targeted proactive patrols in hotspots including residential streets and train stations.
Police are proactively letter dropping and talking to car owners once they park their vehicle to provide them with car theft safety advice.
Last week, Transit police and PSOs spoke to car owners in and around Ringwood train station to ensure their cars were locked and windows secure, handing out dozens of pamphlets with self-guarding tips.
During the patrol, members checked the door handles and windows of various cars for security gaps or if there were any valuable items left visible.
The registration details of vehicles that were identified as high risk – such as those that weren’t locked or models including the Toyotas and Subarus with push start ignitions – were logged by police and PSOs for follow up pamphlets to be mailed to their home address.
The police advice to car owners includes installing an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevent offenders connecting a reprogramming device to a vehicle.
These locks are affordable and can be self-installed.
Police also recommend using a steering wheel lock and parking your vehicle off the street and in a garage if possible.
Vehicles should always be locked, even if parked at home, and never left running unattended.
Police have recovered around 80 per cent of cars stolen in the past year.
People can now check whether a car is stolen using the online tool on the Victoria Police website, which was recently launched to assist police in recovering stolen vehicles sooner.
The public can enter the registration, make and model of a suspect vehicle to check if it is listed as stolen and then report its location to police.
Stolen vehicles should be reported to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
If you require immediate police assistance always phone Triple Zero (000).
Quotes attributable to Vehicle Crime Squad Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald:
“Car theft remains a significant concern for both police and our community – which is why we continue to relentlessly target and arrest offenders.
“In the past year police have seized more than 900 key cloning devices from car thieves across the state – a stark reminder that offenders are turning to this technology to commit their offending.
“Car thieves only need one opportunity. We’re urging motorists to take away that opportunity and protect their vehicle.
“Simple steps can make a real difference. Installing an on-board diagnostic port lock and using a steering wheel lock can add an extra layer of protection and always make sure your vehicle is locked, even when home.”
Quotes attributable to Transit East Local Area Commander Inspector Jacinta Hanscomb:
“We know how much of an inconvenience car theft is. Every day when we patrol the local area, we notice cars that are of higher risk for thieves.
“That’s why we are out in force conducting proactive patrols in known hotspots, speaking directly with car owners and letter-dropping with practical advice to help keep their vehicles safe.
“During these patrols, we are also checking vehicles for common security vulnerabilities, including unlocked doors and open windows, while reminding motorists not to leave valuables in plain sight.”
