Echuca police Acting Inspector Damian Keegan is encouraging residents to use the stolen‑vehicle checker now live on the Victoria Police website.
Photo by
Ivy Jensen
Echuca residents can now help police catch car thieves in real time, thanks to a new online tool which 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 Echuca records a significant shift in car theft trends: 64 vehicles were stolen in 2025-26, down from 98 the previous year but still higher than the 41 stolen in 2020-21.
A 1987 Toyota Landcruiser was stolen from an Echuca factory overnight Wednesday, 9 September.
Echuca police Acting Inspector Damian Keegan said the community’s vigilance was helping drive thefts down again, and the new tool would give residents an easy way to support police efforts.
“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.”
Insp Keegan 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. If someone’s away and doesn’t realise their car is missing, this helps us investigate straight away,” he said.
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 would help police act faster and give residents confidence they could play a role in reducing thefts.
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 offenders reprogramming keys.
Around 80 per cent of stolen vehicles statewide were recovered last year — a figure police hope to lift 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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