“We need to take the extra step”: Is extra lighting and ambience enough to deter car thieves at Forest Hill Chase?

Whitehorse recorded 1,013 motor vehicle theft offences during the year ending June 2025.

Author

Tyler Wright
October 21, 2025

North-eastern metropolitan MP Nick McGowan has requested Forest Hill Chase install CCTV cameras to deter theft from cars in the shopping centre’s carpark, with recorded offences in Whitehorse increasing by more 40 percent in the last financial year.

📈 Car theft on the rise: According to the Crime Statistics Agency, theft from a motor vehicle was the leading offence in Whitehorse for the year ending June 2025, with 2,583 incidents recorded - up from 1,881 the previous year. 

🚫 No commitments: Forest Hill Chase management told the Eastern Melburnian the shopping strip’s team was carrying out “significant investment in upgrades and improvements” while also collaborating with Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch to protect shoppers and their vehicles. 

  • “Recent enhancements include ambience, lighting, carpark and entrance upgrades,” the spokesperson said.

📸 Local MP requests cameras: North-eastern metropolitan MP Nick McGowan told the Eastern Melburnian he has met with Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre management and sent a letter to the centre owners to emphasise the need for greater CCTV coverage in “strategic locations”.

  • “I think it's time for Forest Hill to seriously look at more CCTV cameras,” said McGowan. “We need to take the extra step and go forward to make sure that their customers can continue to have the sense of confidence when they go and shop there and park there.”

👮Local police presence: Senior Sergeant Ashley Riley said Victoria Police has arrested 661 burglars and car thieves 1,700 times in the 12 months to the end of July 2025.

  • “Victoria Police has a huge success rate in recovering stolen vehicles, returning around 95 percent to rightful owners across key vehicle theft hotspots in Melbourne – including Whitehorse last year,” Riley told the Eastern Melburnian.

Members of the public with dashcam or CCTV vision of any illegal activity are encouraged to report it via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au