Theft from Victorian construction sites reaches 10-year high

Victorian tradies are frustrated by the rising number of thefts from construction sites, leaving workers out of pocket as thousands of dollars worth of equipment regularly gets stolen.

Thefts from construction sites have reached a 10-year high in Victoria. Picture: iStock

Opportunistic crooks are targeting tools and materials from construction sites before trying to sell them online, with thefts from Victoria’s worksites reaching a 10-year high.

New data from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency revealed theft related offences from sites under construction rose by 22 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, with this year’s figures being the most recorded in a decade.

General theft, non-aggravated burglary and stealing from cars were the most common offences from construction sites across the state this year.

During this time Victorian work sites were hosts to more than 2400 overall recorded offences — a 16 per cent increase on the year before — with the most occurring in Wyndham in Melbourne’s west followed by Hume, Casey and Melton.

South Melbourne Plumbing Co. owner Nick Brydson had thousands of dollars worth of equipment stolen from his van parked in front of his house five days before Christmas.

“They smashed the back window of the van and my neighbour who came out and saw them said there were four of them all over the van, passing tools around the back ... nowhere is safe,” he said.

“I don’t have signage on the vans because I know they target tradie vans so the reason I think they targeted it was because I had ladders on top.”

Nick Brydson's van was broken into, with thieves running off with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Picture: South Melbourne Plumbing Co Facebook

Mr Brydson said thefts at constructions sites had become “out of control”.

“I’ve had big boxes on sites that we work and have had to buy them all again because they keep getting broken into,” he said.

“It’s always been a thing but it’s probably becoming more prevalent of late.”

Earlier this year a van parked in front of a locked gate at a Truganina factory — containing $70,000 worth of tools — was stolen, with the offenders dumping the car and taking the tools.

In an unrelated alleged incident in September, five people were arrested for allegedly stealing $70,000 worth of power tools from Port Melbourne, with the items then advertised online.

Victoria also had more than 1100 theft related offences at residential properties under renovation.

Wyndham — one of the state’s fastest growing municipalities — also had the most offences recorded at homes under construction this year.

A Victoria Police spokesman said these offences had a “real flow-on effect” for construction businesses.

“The cost and inconvenience is significant,” he said.

“Police are working hard to detect and deter crime, recently posting the highest number of arrests in almost 20 years.

“We are capturing close to 200 offenders a day and bringing them before the court.

“This includes suspects arrested for theft-related offences which have increased in the last year, in part due to cost of living factors.

“More than a third of all theft from motor vehicle offences relate to number plates being stolen, with power tools the second most targeted item.

“Police intelligence shows 83 per cent of all theft from motor vehicle offences showed no sign of forced entry.

“Construction workers and site operators can assist police by making sure buildings, storage containers, machinery and work vehicles are secured.”