Belconnen has emerged as Canberra's car theft hotspot, with the suburb reporting the highest number of stolen vehicles since 2022, according to an analysis by The Canberra Times. Braddon, Phillip, Fyshwick, and the city centre follow as the most affected areas.
Belconnen resident Meng Jie discovered her white sedan missing one Friday morning, despite having locked it the night before. She reported the theft to police, but the car was never found. The suburb has seen a steady increase in thefts, from 40 in 2022 to 49 in 2024.
Vincent Hurley, a criminology lecturer, attributes a recent decline in thefts to the growing popularity of electric vehicles, which are harder to steal than traditional cars. He also notes a decrease in 'copycatting' theft and reckless driving videos on social media.
A mechanic in Hume, who wished to remain anonymous, said a severe shortage of spare parts, particularly for European cars, may be driving thefts for parts sold on the black market. ACT Policing reports that engine immobilisers have made hot-wiring nearly impossible, but have led to an increase in home burglaries targeting car keys.
Nearly 40% of stolen cars in the ACT are never recovered. In 2023 and 2024, about 1,000 vehicles were reported stolen annually, with 680 stolen as of September 30 this year. Police advise locking doors and windows, securing keys, and using steering wheel locks to prevent theft.
