Melbourne Resident Cites Rising Crime as Reason for Moving After Stolen Cars and Break-In Attempt

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A Melbourne woman says escalating crime in her neighborhood has left her feeling unsafe and forced her to leave her home. Chrissy Skye, originally from New Zealand, shared on social media that she has endured two stolen cars and an attempted break-in, prompting her decision to move into an apartment.

Skye, who lives near Altona in Melbourne’s west, gained attention after posting a series of TikTok videos detailing her experiences. While her posts contained her trademark humor, the underlying message was clear: she no longer felt secure in her own home. “I’ve had one person try to break into my house so far and I’ve had two cars stolen,” she said. “You will feel unsafe at night, that is just what it is.”

She added that she plans to rent out her house and relocate to an apartment, believing it will offer greater safety. “It’s disgusting, and the government don’t care,” she said. Skye expressed frustration that despite repeated incidents, there appeared to be little deterrence for offenders and insufficient police presence in her area to reassure residents.

In another video, Skye criticized Victoria’s bail laws, claiming they were “too lenient” after her $100,000 car was allegedly stolen by five offenders, whom she described as “African boys.” She said the same individuals had been seen near her property at night but were released from custody. Skye alleged that this lack of accountability has emboldened repeat offenders, leaving law-abiding citizens feeling vulnerable and abandoned.

Skye’s frustration comes amid a documented rise in crime across Victoria. According to the state’s Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), in the year to March, the overall crime rate per 100,000 people increased by more than 18 percent. Property and deception offenses, which include theft, break-ins, and fraud, rose by 70,000 instances, marking a 23.8 percent jump to 370,587 reported cases.

The CSA noted that theft offenses were the primary driver of the surge, climbing by 58,570 to a total of 240,210 incidents. A significant contributor to this increase was “steal from a motor vehicle” offenses, which rose by 23,259 to 82,414 cases over the past year. These figures indicate a growing challenge for both law enforcement and policymakers, as car-related thefts continue to impact communities across the state.

Skye said she will move into her new apartment within a week, even though she will continue paying off her mortgage while covering rent. “I’m just so excited because I’m getting out of here, finally,” she said. She also remarked that she hoped her new living arrangements would allow her to feel safe enough to resume a normal routine without the constant worry of being targeted.

Her story has sparked renewed discussion about public safety, property crime, and whether current state policies are adequately addressing community concerns. Residents and commentators have called for tougher sentencing, increased police patrols, and more robust preventative measures to stem the rising tide of property-related crime in Victoria.