Neighbourhood Watch Whitehorse

16/08/2026

Modern cars don't always need a key to start, just access to the right port. An OBD lock is a simple case that blocks that access. RACV recommends fitting one if your car has push-start ignition. Find out how safe your vehicle is and how to decrease the risk of theft by taking our online quiz: https://howsafeismyplace.com.au/vehicle/

15/08/2026

After a long day on the tools, it's tempting to leave them in the car and call it a night. That's exactly when thieves strike. A few small habits go a long way:
1. Lock your gear away, even for a quick stop
2. Add colour, a custom case or a security sticker - it makes tools harder to sell on
3. Engrave your name and drivers licence number, so police can match them back to you
4. Snap a photo and note serial numbers for your records
5. Insure your tools

14/08/2026

Nearly half of all vehicle thefts in Victoria happen with no sign of forced entry - the car was simply left unlocked (Crime Statistics Agency Victoria). It's an easy habit to skip when you're "just running in for a minute", but that's exactly the window thieves are waiting for.

Get into the habit of locking up every time, even at home, even for a second.

Check how car-smart your habits really are: howsafeismyplace.com.au

13/08/2026

Number plate theft is a big issue in Victoria and it can take thieves less than 10 seconds to get one off with a standard screwdriver.

Once stolen, plates get put on other vehicles and used for fuel theft, ram raids, evading police, or racking up fines that land in your letterbox for offences you didn't commit.

Swap your standard plate screws for one-way, anti-theft screws. They go on with a normal screwdriver but can't be removed without a special tool - the job is done in about two minutes. Grab a set at Bunnings or come along to one of our Safe Plate events, where our volunteers will fit them for a gold coin donation.

Check how safe your vehicle is by visiting howsafeismyplace.com.au

Learn more here: https://www.racv.com.au/about-racv/newsroom/calls-on-victorian-mandate-anti-theft-number-plate-screws.html (source)

12/08/2026

03/08/2026

Most thieves aren't looking for a challenge, they're looking for the easiest target. That's where "locking wheel nuts" can make a difference.

By replacing one standard wheel nut on each wheel with a locking wheel nut, you're adding an extra layer of security that's quick, affordable and easy to install.

Here's why they're worth considering:
🔒 They require a unique key to remove, making it much harder for thieves to steal your wheels.
🚗 They act as a strong deterrent, helping encourage opportunistic thieves to move on to an easier target.
🛠️ They can be fitted with basic tools, no need to book your car into a workshop.

No security measure is foolproof, but locking wheel nuts are a simple step that can help make your vehicle a less attractive target.

29/07/2026

A home in Victoria is broken into roughly every 20 minutes.

It's a confronting number but here's the part worth sitting with: around a third of those break-ins are opportunistic. No forced entry, no tools, just an unlocked door or an open window.
This means a real chunk of break-ins are preventable with habits that cost nothing - locking up before you leave, securing the garage, checking the letterbox isn't announcing an empty house.
Want to know how secure your place is? Take the quick check at howsafeismyplace.com.au

For more information visit - https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/property/insurance/burglary-hotspots.html

28/07/2026

Garages get forgotten in home security but they're often the easiest way in. A few things worth checking this weekend:

1. Secure the manual release cord - it can be reached from outside on many roller doors if left exposed.
2. Add a garage door defender bar for extra resistance when you're away.
3. Never leave a spare remote in the car - if the car's broken into, so is the garage.
4. Make sure the door between the garage and the house is solid-core and deadbolted, not just a flimsy internal door.

27/07/2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whitehorse-psa-neighbourhood-policing-forum-tickets-1990835072293
🗓Wednesday, 29 July 2026 🗺Box Hill Town Hall
⏰Arrival from 6:45pm | Forum 7 pm–10pm
🎫Registration via Eventbrite.
A safer Whitehorse starts with informed, connected neighbours. We hope to see you there