Alarming figures show children stealing cars increased by 53 per cent in 2023

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Joyriding for social media notoriety has helped drive a huge spike in the number of car thefts by young people – but just 20 young thieves were responsible for almost one in five stolen cars.


Newly published crime data has shown the number of cars being stolen has risen across Victoria in 2023, with a significant increase in thefts being carried out by children.

The figures, released by Victoria Police, reveal car thefts by youths aged between 14 and 17 have jumped by more than 52.7 per cent.

In 2023, there were 1703 car thefts by minors, compared with 1115 recorded in 2022.

However, it appears 18.5 per cent of all car thefts across the state last year by minors were done by just 20 offenders, with an average age of just 15.

Police say these 20 prolific car thieves were arrested a total of 144 times, and were responsible for 321 aggravated burglaries where at least one car was taken.

While the total number of stolen cars increased year-on-year by 26.1 per cent, police say the number is consistent with thefts recorded in 2019 – prior to the pandemic.

Victoria Police has been running Operation Trinity every night since March 2023, specifically targeting burglars and car thieves, utilising an additional 70 officers (on top of existing patrols), as well as Highway Patrol, the Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team, and the Air Wing.

The operation has resulted in more than 2300 arrests, with a further 1400 being directly related to burglaries and car thefts.

“Much of the child and youth offending we’re seeing is mindless and driven by the pursuit of notoriety or social media likes,” Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Neil Paterson APM said in a written statement.

“This is highlighted by the fact that police recovered 94 per cent of vehicles stolen during aggravated burglaries as part of Operation Trinity – cars stolen purely for joyriding and no financial gain.

“When interviewed, offenders are telling us they will walk up and down a street until they find a door or window that is unlocked. Our intelligence supports this, with over half of all homes burgled in key hotspots unlocked,” Deputy Commissioner Paterson said.

“While police will continue to patrol known hotspots every evening until dawn as part of Trinity, we are also calling on the community to play their part and lock their properties and cars.”

Ben Zachariah

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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