Three local council areas in Melbourne’s south-east have been identified as hot spots for car theft, despite the efforts of Victoria Police to combat crime. In the first half of 2024, over 1000 stolen vehicles were recovered by the police in Melbourne’s south-east, amounting to a total value of $30.6 million. Many of these stolen cars are high-end European models from brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Porsche, Jaguar, and Range Rover.
Operation Trinity, the most well-resourced frontline operation conducted by Victoria Police, has led to more than 1400 arrests, with a significant portion of the offenders being below the age of 25. Alarmingly, 64.5% of the arrests made were individuals under the age of 18.
Recent crime statistics have shown a 23% increase in vehicle thefts in the 12 months leading up to March, with a staggering 52.7% rise in car thefts by individuals aged between 14 and 17 in 2023. The majority of stolen vehicles recovered in the first half of 2024 were taken from the neighbouring council areas of Casey, Greater Dandenong, and Cardinia.
Specifically, an estimated $16 million worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered from the Casey area alone, which is approximately 60 kilometers south-east of Melbourne. During this period, 468 stolen cars were retrieved from Casey, 411 from Dandenong, and 126 from Cardinia. A total of 169 vehicles, valued at around $6.6 million, were stolen during aggravated burglaries.
In response to the escalating car theft crisis, Operation Trinity has deployed an additional 70 officers for overnight shifts, including personnel from Highway Patrol, the Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team, and the Air Wing. More than 50% of the stolen vehicles were taken from residential areas, shopping car parks, and train stations, emphasizing the importance of locking car doors when parking.
Acting Superintendent Andy McKee, Deputy Police Commander for Operation Trinity, expressed concerns about the prevalence of youth and child offenders stealing high-end vehicles for joyriding purposes, rather than for profit. He highlighted the dangers posed by inexperienced young drivers speeding in stolen cars, putting innocent motorists at risk.
Ben Zachariah, a seasoned writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, who has been in the automotive industry for over two decades, shared his insights on the situation. With a background as an interstate truck driver and an MBA in Finance, Zachariah is considered an expert on classic car investment.
Overall, the concerted efforts of Victoria Police through Operation Trinity have made significant strides in addressing the car theft crisis in Melbourne’s south-east. However, continued vigilance and community awareness are essential to combatting this concerning trend and ensuring the safety of residents and motorists in the region.