Victoria Police has launched a new online tool which allows people to check whether a car is stolen.
The tool is now live on the Victoria Police website.
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.
Information is drawn from Victoria Police's Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) as well as Vic Roads and the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS).
It's refreshed every time a report of a stolen vehicle is added to each database.
Once a stolen vehicle is recovered by police it is removed from the system.
The tool has been introduced to assist police in recovering stolen vehicles sooner.
Police have recovered around 80 per cent of cars stolen in the past year.
The tool will also make it easier for people to search and make a report if a stolen vehicle is located.
Victoria Police is continuing to work hard to address car theft with targeted proactive patrols in hotspots.
It comes as new data reveals one in three cars stolen in Victoria were parked on residential streets.
The Crime Statistics Agency figures show 10,151 of the 30,985 cars stolen in the year to March were on the street.
The number of cars stolen from the street doubled the 5031 taken from houses.
It tripled the number stolen from single-level carparks where 3148 offences were recorded.
Melbourne's CBD recorded the highest number of cars stolen from the street with 621 offences recorded, followed by Dandenong with 487 offences and Tarneit with 367 offences.
Victoria Police intelligence shows a majority of stolen cars are popular makes and models with push start ignitions.
Thieves use key-mimicking and cloning technology to override car security systems.
Police implore the community to take simple measures to prevent their car being stolen such as installing an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevent offenders connecting a reprogramming device to their vehicle. The locks are affordable and can be self-installed.
Victoria Police also recommends 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 when unattended.
If you suspect a vehicle is stolen or if you are not sure if it is stolen or abandoned, please report it to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
If the vehicle is abandoned, you can contact your local council and they will co-ordinate the collection.
If you require immediate police assistance always phone Triple Zero (000).
The online stolen vehicle tool can be found at police.vic.gov.au/stolen-vehicle-check-victoria.
The tool has already been used online by around 8,000 users since the initial soft launch two weeks ago (24 September).
Quotes attributable to Vehicle Crime Squad Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald:
"Car theft isn't just an inconvenience. It impacts someone's sense of safety.
"That's why police are working tirelessly to target car thieves and make arrests.
"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.
"We know cars with push start ignitions are a particular target with thieves using technology to enable their offending.
"Police are seeing proof of this with on-board diagnostic devices showing up more frequently during intercepts of suspicious vehicles.
"While the majority of stolen vehicles are recovered as a community it will take all of us working together to stop thefts happening in the first place.
"A quick dash to the shops without locking your car is sometimes all it takes for thieves to seize an opportunity.
"Where possible we encourage people to park their vehicle off the street and in a garage if they have one available.
"Anti-theft devices such as a steering wheel lock and OBD port lock also help deter would-be thieves."
