Crime prevention advice

Crime prevention tips on keeping your home, car and bicycle more secure and staying safe online.

For emergencies, call 000, or contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or your local Police Station to report a crime.

For crime prevention tips on the Victoria Police website, visit the Home and property safety and Your safety pages.

Home security

Thieves are opportunistic and look for easy targets. You can make it more difficult for them by locking your doors and windows, locking items away and keeping items out of sight.

9pm routine

Make it a habit to:

  • collect valuables from your car
  • lock your car
  • lock your doors and windows at home, including doggie doors
  • lock your garage
  • leave an outside light on. 

Lock your house, hide your keys

Protect your property by locking all doors and windows to your home and garage. When you arrive home, put your car keys in a secure place that isn’t obvious.

For more information, visit the Neighbourhood Watch and How safe is my place websites.

Parcel and mail theft

To help prevent parcel and mail theft, you can:

  • schedule deliveries for when you are home
  • arrange for a neighbour, friend or relative to collect your mail if you won’t be home
  • select ‘click and collect’ if you have the option
  • register for a free Australia Post parcel locker
  • make sure your letterbox has a strong lock
  • check that your letterbox is too narrow for a hand to fit in.

You should not:

  • authorise people to leave parcels in a foyer or unsecured room
  • instruct delivery drivers to leave parcels in a ‘safe place.’

If you are going away

If you know you will be away at a certain time, you can register your absence from your residence with Service Victoria.

Car security

Protect your car from theft

To keep your vehicle secure and your keys accessible, store your keys in a safe place and never leave them in your car.

Remove it, lock it or lose it

Theft from cars is a common crime in Stonnington. Most crime occurs at night from unlocked vehicles.

To prevent theft, LOCK your car, even if you only leave it for a short time, and do NOT leave valuables in your car.

Secure your number plates

Fitting anti-theft screws makes it harder for someone to steal your number plates.

Free anti-theft screws are available from Malvern Police Station from 10am to 6pm every day and Prahran Police Station 24/7. Subject to availability, Police members can help fit the screws if required.

For more information, visit the SafePL8 website.

Bicycle security

You can protect your bike by:

  • using a high-quality lock and using it properly
  • making your bike identifiable
  • consider insuring your bike.

Online safety

eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner is Australia's independent online safety regulator. They provide online safety tips and training and advice on what to do if issues arise.

The Commissioner website offers:

Scamwatch

The Scamwatch website provides information to consumers and small businesses on how to recognise and avoid scams. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) manages Scamwatch.

Crime Stoppers Victoria

Crime Stoppers Victoria's Smart Scam Guide has information on how to identify and respond to scams.

The online dating page has information on safe online dating.

Victoria Police

For more information about online safety, visit the frauds and scams page on the Victoria Police website.

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