Key Facts:
- Motor vehicle theft in Australia increased by 8% in 2024, with Victoria experiencing a 41% rise, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data
- Modern criminals are increasingly using relay and diagnostic tools to bypass factory electronic security systems, making keyless cars more vulnerable
- Police operations have targeted organised theft syndicates, but authorities warn communities remain at risk despite increased enforcement efforts
- Insurance claims for motor vehicle theft have reached record levels in both number and value, particularly in Victoria
- StealStopper advocates for secondary immobilisers as an additional security measure that cannot be bypassed by software hacks or relay attacks
New national figures show motor-vehicle theft is rising again; StealStopper calls for urgent adoption of secondary immobilisers as a frontline defence.
The latest national crime data and insurance figures paint a stark picture: motor vehicle theft is rising across Australia, with Victoria experiencing the sharpest increases, leaving motorists, insurers and police scrambling for effective countermeasures. In response, StealStopper, a manufacturer of vehicle immobiliser systems, today urged motorists and fleet operators to adopt reliable secondary immobilisers immediately, saying passive measures and tech-workarounds used by thieves are making cars easier to steal than ever.
What the data shows
- The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports there were 65,603 victims of motor vehicle theft recorded in 2024, an 8% increase year-on-year, with Victoria up sharply (reporting a 41% increase). Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Insurance analyses show motor-theft claims and claim values have also surged in recent years, with the Insurance Council and industry data pointing to record rises in both the number and value of theft claims, concentrated heavily in Victoria. 7NEWS
- State policing authorities have responded with targeted operations, dismantling organised theft syndicates and staging multi-agency crackdowns, yet police repeatedly warn that the problem persists and that communities remain at risk. ABC
Police on the front line Detectives on recent busts have emphasised the scale of the problem and the pressure on policing: "The result also highlights our ongoing commitment to addressing the rise in car thefts, which we know are of concern to both police and the community," said Detective Acting Sergeant David Bonnie after a Melbourne syndicate arrest. Police statements around coordinated operations have also warned offenders that they face increasing scrutiny from air support and task forces. ABC
Why this matters now Industry commentators and insurers say modern criminals are increasingly using inexpensive "relay" and diagnostic tools to bypass factory electronic security, meaning keyless cars and convenience tech have become exploitable entry points. The net result: more claims, more stolen vehicles, and higher repair/replacement costs for owners and insurers. AFR
StealStopper responds: practical defence, available now With drivers facing growing risk today, StealStopper is calling for immediate adoption of secondary immobiliser devices as a proven, physical layer of defence that simply can't be bypassed by software hacks or relay attacks. "We accept that policing and public policy must keep evolving, but while authorities do their job, motorists also need active, reliable protection right now," said a spokesperson of StealStopper. "An immobiliser is the single most reliable barrier between your vehicle and an opportunistic thief and for many owners it's the difference between keeping a car or filing a claim."
Why secondary immobilisers? StealStopper's core message is that factory electronic security is now one of several layers; not a silver bullet. Secondary immobilisers:
- Are independent of the factory keyless system (cannot be bypassed with relay/key cloning).
- Prevent theft even if the thieves have the keys.
- Are quick to install across a wide range of models and fleets.
A newsworthy moment The combination of quickly rising theft figures, high-profile syndicate arrests and insurers' warnings make this an urgent, timely story for communities and
