By Bonny Burrows
GPS trackers will be fitted in up to 100,000 vehicles across South-East Melbourne by February as part of an opt-in trial aimed at reducing car thefts.
The first round of cars participating in Victoria Police’s cutting-edge trial have already been fitted with the GPS tracking technology.
The trackers, about half the size of a matchbox, have been installed in a range of cars by selected dealerships in Greater Dandenong and surrounding areas.
The devices are synchronised to a smartphone application so with a press of a button, the car owner can use the app to set an electronic perimeter around the vehicle.
If the car is moved, the system immediately alerts the owner via email and text message.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said the GPS technology would help drive down the rate of car thefts.
“Essentially if the car is stolen, the owner can notify Victoria Police and we can track that vehicle,” Mr Hill said.
“We can track the vehicle (and) we can, again, when it’s safe to do so, intercept and arrest the person responsible and effectively recover the motor vehicle.”
Mr Hill said he expected the trackers to be installed in all new cars in the future.
“A car will come off the assembly line and will have a GPS tracking device fitted and Victoria Police will have the ability to immediately track the vehicle if required,” he said.
“We will have line of sight of every vehicle across the road system that has been stolen.”
The assistant commissioner said the trackers were just the first step in a bigger approach to targeting car thieves.
“We will test the system and provide clear evidence of the value of this technology in reducing vehicle theft,” Mr Hill said.
“It is then about phase two, working with the private sector providers who already operate in Victoria — we want them to come on board and work with Victoria Police.”
