Personal safety

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. 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.

Have you locked your doggie door?

If you have a doggie door at home, we encourage you to stay vigilant. There were 78 recorded home burglaries in Melbourne’s inner south over the past 3 years, compared with 22 during the seven years before that. This rise is driven by intruders accessing properties via the dog door.

Read the full media release.

Parcel and mail

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.

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.

You can protect your bike by:

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

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

Make it a habit to:

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

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

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:

• online safety advice and resources in other languages
• community education and training
• eSafety for seniors 
• free Be Connected learning resources and courses.

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’s online dating page has information on safe online dating.

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