Hume is in third place when it comes to stolen cars across the state, with a 44% increase last year when compared to 2023, say police.
In the year to December 2024 almost 29,000 cars were reported stolen in Victoria, of these 1,413 were taken from Hume according to official stats.
However, it seems car owners are not helping themselves with more than a third of stolen cars having unlocked doors or open windows. Police also say it’s common for thieves to sneak into houses to take car keys.
| Area (local government) | Cars reported stolen Jan-Dec 2024 |
|---|---|
| Melbourne City | 1,633 |
| Casey | 1,537 |
| Hume | 1,413 |
| Wyndham | 1,398 |
| Greater Dandenong | 1,184 |
| Darebin | 1,035 |
| Monash | 1,008 |
| Brimbank | 922 |
| Port Philip | 885 |
| Whittlesea | 871 |
| Data / Crime Statistics Agency |
In the first week of April police recovered eight stolen cars and arrested 26 people as part of an operation targeting thieves and burglars in Broadmeadows and Craigieburn. The operation follows a similar one in Sunbury.
The week-long operation took place from 30 March to 5 April and resulted in:
- 26 arrests
- More than 80 charges
- Eight stolen cars recovered
- Three cars impounded for traffic offences
- 27 infringement notices
- 42 vehicles checked
Those with information about car thefts can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
The arrests in Broadmeadows and Craigieburn included:
Monday 31 March, it’s alleged multiple offenders arrived at an address in Kirkham Dr, Greenvale in a black Toyota Landcruiser. It’s alleged two of the offenders stole a silver Subaru from the address, with both cars driving off together.
Stop sticks were successfully deployed, causing the vehicle to come to a stop on Whitfield St, Craigieburn and the two occupants were arrested.
One of the men arrested, a 33-year-old from Fawkner, was wanted on 17 outstanding warrants. The other man, a 20-year-old from Preston, had an outstanding warrant for an alleged aggravated carjacking with a firearm. Both men were subsequently charged with a range of offences, including theft of motor vehicle and dangerous driving, and were presented to court that day.
On Tuesday 1 April, officers received reports of a sighting of a firearm inside a red Toyota Corolla with multiple occupants in Meadow Heights. With the assistance of the Air Wing, police located the Corolla and attempted to intercept, when it evaded police on Kirkham Dr, Greenvale.
Stop sticks were deployed before all four occupants were arrested after they dumped the vehicle and ran on Highlawn Ave, Airport West. All four were charged with numerous offences including alleged dangerous driving and drug trafficking. The firearm allegedly involved in the previous incident was located on 10 April and the investigation is ongoing.
Also on Tuesday 1 April, police spotted a blue Subaru driving in the parkland of Broadmeadows Valley Park, Westmeadows. Police stopped the car and its two occupants were arrested. The Subaru was confirmed stolen and was allegedly involved in a series of commercial burglaries.
At about 1am on Saturday 5 April, officers saw an alleged stolen Holden Commodore on Sydney Rd in Campbellfield. Three occupants fled the car but were caught by police. Police allegedly found multiple sets of keys for multiple different cars, believed to be stolen, on the offenders.
All three were charged with various offences, including the driver, a 36-year-old from Craigieburn who was charged with theft of motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle and dangerous driving.
Hume City saw a 23% increase in overall crime in 2024, when compared with 2023, and 56% of all reported crime remains unsolved according to crime statistics.
