More vehicle thefts in Hume than anywhere else in Victoria

HUME is the car theft capital of Victoria, with almost 1000 vehicles stolen last year, new figures reveal.

Hume is the vehicle theft capital of the state, according to new figures.

HUME is the car theft capital of Victoria, with almost 1000 vehicles stolen last year, new figures reveal.

National ­Vehicle Theft Reduction Council data shows 944 cars were swiped in Hume followed by Greater Dandenong (831), Casey (686), Darebin (674) and Whittlesea (659).

More than 15,000 vehicles were stolen across Victoria last year — more than 40 every day — with an average value of $11,000.

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A hardcore group of repeat ­offenders is believed to be behind the scourge.

NVTRC executive director Ray Carroll said Victoria had overtaken NSW for car theft after recording a surge over the past three years.

“We saw a spike that just wasn’t being seen in other parts of the country, primarily driven by young offenders,” he said. “The total number of young offenders is down, it has been for a long time, but a smaller group of high-rate offenders are still committing these crimes.”

Older Nissan Pulsars, Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons are Victoria’s most stolen cars.

Mr Carroll said youths stole cars in Victoria to commit further crimes or to go joyriding.

The data shows more cars were swiped between 4pm and 8pm on Fridays than at any other time.

“Those statistics line up quite clearly with when more young people are out and about,” Mr Carroll said.

Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said police had made significant ground in moves to drive down vehicle thefts.

Mr Hill said immobilisers had made newer cars more difficult to steal.

“As a result, criminals are now resorting to more brazen and sometimes violent methods to steal vehicles, such as aggravated burglaries or carjackings,” he said.

“People can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of vehicle theft by taking simple steps to secure car keys so they aren’t easily accessible within the home and cannot be seen through windows.”