This interactive map shows which suburbs in Victoria have the highest and lowest instances of number plate theft.
Number plate thefts offences between March 2024 and March 2025 increased by over 10,000 compared to the previous year.
The total number of thefts have increased by a dramatic 50 per cent across a 12-month period, bringing the total number to 29,750.
This map shows the number of reported number plate thefts for most postcodes in Victoria.
Mapping of the data shows offences are highest in the postcodes of 3175 (Dandenong), 3977 (Cranbourne), and 3029 (Truganina, Tarneit, and Hoppers Crossing).
These areas have 903, 724, and 711 offences respectively over a 12-month period.
However, the high number of offences does not necessarily mean these areas are the most unsafe for your car.
While these suburbs have the most offences, they also have some of the highest numbers of cars registered in the state.
MORE: Why number plates get stolen and how to protect yourself from it
For 3175 (Dandenong with 59,553 registered vehicles) there is approximately one offence reported for every 66 registered cars in the postcode.
For 3029 (Truganina, Tarneit, and Hoppers Crossing with 113,267 registered vehicles) it drops all the way down to 1 offence reported for every 159 registered cars.
The suburbs with the highest rate of plate theft offences relative to registered vehicles are 3052 (Parkville), 3062 (Somerton), 3065 (Fitzroy), 3011 (Footscray), and 3047 (Broadmeadows).
With 69 offences and only 2,918 registered cars, 3052 (Parkville) comes in with the highest rate of one offence reported for every 42 cars registered in the suburb.
The rate of number plate thefts to registered cars should only be considered an approximation, and the data for registered vehicle numbers comes from the Department of Transport and Planning.
It also does not consider that a car might be outside of its registered postcode when the theft occurs. The number of registered vehicles could also have been different at the time of the offence.
MORE: Cyclists and pedestrians at risk as road fatalities hit a 15-year high
- See all the data on offences recorded for numberplate theft here.
- See all the data on the number of vehicles registered in Victoria here.
Unfortunately, information relating to makes and models of cars with plates stolen most frequently is not recorded.
Data Victoria said: “These details are typically only recorded for motor vehicle theft offences (where the actual vehicle is stolen, not just the number plates).”
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