Car thefts are spiking so much that some enthusiasts are locking their prized possessions away to try to outwit tech-savvy thieves.

Vehicle thefts are surging in Victoria as police battle the state’s highest crime rate in a decade, according to statistics released on Thursday.

It comes after state parliament passed harsher bail laws early on Friday after a marathon debate.

The humble Holden Commodore, especially V8-powered VFs, has emerged as the car targeted most by criminals who have access to tools originally intended for mechanics and locksmiths.

The Holdens are targeted because of vulnerabilities in their keyless entry system.

But they’re not alone – other late-model cars with similar systems are also being stolen. Thieves exploit the system by cutting wires and reprogramming keys with the tool, which is readily available online.

HSV Owners Club Victoria president Col Pocock said at least 10 VF Commodores were stolen daily in Victoria.

“I can probably name half a dozen of our club members that have had cars stolen in the last six months,” he said.

As thefts spike, many club members were leaving their beloved cars at home rather than risk losing them forever.

“I personally saw a group try to steal a friend’s HSV in South Melbourne a few weeks ago. They were pulling the front off the car and had another car waiting – so we were lucky to scare them off.”

On his own vehicle – one of only 50 made – Pocock has installed an immobiliser that requires a pin code to start the car.

Some club members also use trackers, which have helped recover stolen cars – many of which cannot be replaced after Holden shut up shop at the end of 2020.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said emerging technology allowed thieves to gain access to the cars through onboard diagnostics.

“We’re seeing a lot of that occurring,” he said on Monday.

“In fact, one in five cars stolen in Victoria, we believe, people are accessing that technology.”

Hill said certain makes of cars, with manufacture dating back to 2010 were more common theft targets than others. Holden was particularly popular with criminals.

Insurance Council of Australia deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane said the spike in motor vehicle thefts meant that – while it was generally a small part of insurance premiums – it could effectively cost everyone more as premiums rose.

She said the value of vehicles had increased significantly since 2015, as had the costs of parts and labour.

“But it’s the frequency of motor theft and the cost of that theft, as recorded by the insurance industry, should not go unrecognised,” Macfarlane said.

Victorian claims are up 70 per cent in the same period, with theior value rising from $46 million ($60 million in 2024 dollars) to $173 million. That represents an increase of 188 per cent in real terms.

Over the same period, the total number of motor vehicle policies in Victoria increased 28 per cent.

The cost of motor vehicle theft claims in metropolitan Victoria hit $140 million in 2024.

-AAP