It’s a nightmare scenario for all Aussies. If you’ve been a car-theft victim, is it worth clinging to hope? It depends on where you live.

You can do everything right. Doors locked: check. Parked in a well-lit driveway: check. Keys in your pocket: check. Despite doing all of this, crooks somehow find a way to break in and steal your car. This is a living nightmare for many Australians, and instances are on the rise.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 65,603 Australians reported their cars as stolen in 2024, which represents an 8 per cent increase from 2023.

While the number of car thefts decreased in most states and territories, the ABS data showed Victoria and New South Wales were hit the hardest, with theft rates increasing by 41 and 6 per cent, respectively.

But

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