Stolen cars are often used to commit further crimes, with some later found burnt out.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Kyabram residents can now help police catch car thieves in real time, thanks to a new online tool that checks whether a vehicle is stolen.
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The stolen‑vehicle checker — now live on the Victoria Police website — lets people enter a car’s registration, make and model to instantly see if it’s listed as stolen and report its location straight to police.
Its launch comes as Kyabram records a steady increase in car thefts: 24 were stolen in 2025-26, up from 23 the previous year and 17 in 2020-21.
Campaspe police Acting Inspector Damian Keegan hoped the new tool would give residents a stronger role in preventing crime.
“Car thefts are largely opportunistic,” he said.
“Park off the street where you can, keep keys out of sight — not on the kitchen bench — and secure your vehicle at all times.”
He said stolen cars were often used to commit further crimes, with some later found burnt out.
“This tool lets the community report suspicious vehicle activity immediately,” Insp Keegan said.
Acting Inspector Damian Keegan.
Photo by
Ivy Jensen
“If someone’s away and doesn’t realise their car is missing, this helps us investigate straight away.”
The system draws live data from LEAP, VicRoads and NEVDIS, refreshing every time a stolen‑vehicle report is lodged.
Once a car is recovered, it disappears from the list.
Insp Keegan said the tool gave residents a simple way to help police act faster.
Police intelligence shows thieves are increasingly targeting popular push‑start models using key‑cloning technology.
Police recommend steering‑wheel locks, parking in garages and installing an on‑board diagnostic port lock to stop thieves reprogramming keys.
Around 80 per cent of stolen vehicles statewide were recovered last year — a figure police hope to push even higher with community help.
If you suspect a vehicle is stolen, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. For abandoned vehicles, notify your local council. For emergencies, call 000.
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