Police Launch Stolen Car Checker

Victoria Police has launched a new online tool allowing Victorians to check whether a suspicious vehicle has been reported stolen.

The Stolen Vehicle Check is now live on the Victoria Police website, allowing users to enter a vehicle’s registration, make and model before reporting its location to police.

The database draws information from Victoria Police, VicRoads and the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System and is updated as stolen vehicles are reported or recovered.

Around 8,000 people have already used the tool since its soft launch on 24 August.

The launch comes as new Crime Statistics Agency data shows 10,151 of the 30,985 vehicles stolen across Victoria in the year to March were taken from residential streets.

Tarneit recorded 367 vehicles stolen from the street, the third-highest figure in Victoria behind Melbourne’s CBD with 621 and Dandenong with 487.

(Stolen car in Werribee.)

Police say many stolen vehicles are popular makes and models with push-start ignitions, with thieves using key-mimicking and cloning technology to bypass security systems.

Vehicle Crime Squad Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald said the new tool could help police locate stolen vehicles sooner.

“This new tool lets people check if a car is stolen and report its location to police. All people have to do is enter the registration, make and model of the suspect vehicle.”

Police recovered around 80 per cent of vehicles stolen during the past year and are urging motorists to use steering wheel and OBD port locks, lock vehicles at all times and park off the street where possible.

Suspected stolen vehicles can also be reported to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, while Triple Zero (000) should be called when immediate police assistance is required.