"We're tired of feeling unsafe": Residents demand action as car thefts surge across inner Melbourne

Residents across inner Melbourne's hardest-hit suburbs are voicing mounting frustration over escalating vehicle theft, with community groups demanding urgent intervention from council and police.

Car thefts in the Collingwood, Fitzroy, and Brunswick postcodes have climbed 34 per cent over the past 18 months, according to Victoria Police data released this month. The spike has prompted residents to organise neighbourhood watch meetings and petition local councillors for enhanced security measures.

"Every other week someone on our street loses a car or has their windows smashed," said a Collingwood resident who manages a small business near Smith Street. "We're not just talking about inconvenience—people are scared. Parents won't let their kids wait at tram stops alone after dark."

The frustration extends to local business owners. A café operator on Johnston Street reported losing two vehicles in four months, each incident costing her approximately $3,500 in repairs and insurance excess fees. "The police response time is weeks, sometimes they don't respond at all," she explained. "We feel abandoned."

Fitzroy resident and community advocate groups have begun coordinating informal patrols and installing private CCTV systems—at costs ranging from $800 to $2,500 per installation—to compensate for what they describe as inadequate street lighting and police visibility.

Victoria Police's Eastern Region spokesperson acknowledged the issue at last week's Collingwood Community Safety Forum but emphasised resource constraints. "We've increased patrols, but demand across the region remains high," the statement noted. The force is encouraging residents to report all incidents and register vehicles with their database.

Local councillors have committed to investigating additional CCTV coverage along high-incident corridors including Smith Street and Brunswick Street, with funding proposals due next quarter. However, residents say this response feels reactive rather than preventative.

"We shouldn't have to turn our suburbs into fortresses," said a Brunswick resident active in local advocacy networks. "This is about our safety, our property, and frankly, our dignity as community members."

Inner Melbourne's crime challenges reflect broader state-wide trends, but residents here are adamant: without coordinated investment in policing, street infrastructure, and community support, the problem will continue to fester. Several community groups are planning a public safety forum on July 16 at the Collingwood Town Hall to present their findings to council and state representatives.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.