Ballarat locals urged to secure their cars, as theft rises

With Victorian vehicle thefts up, the RACV is urging locals to check the security of their cars.

The latest stats from the Crime Statistics Agency found motor vehicle theft was the number one crime in the Ballarat region in the year to March, up 5 per cent on 2023 numbers.

There were 1,531 incidents of theft from a motor vehicle in the city, along with 612 incidents of car theft.

The organisation says theft from vehicles commonly occur in residential areas, particularly in driveways and carports.

They say residents should install anti-theft screws to protect number plates, remove valuables from cars and park in a locked garage or behind a locked gate if you can.