This report presents the findings from the first qualitative study of a sample of 15 Victorian young people who were serving a custodial sentence in a youth justice facility for violent motor vehicle offence(s).

The research aims to understand young people’s backgrounds and motivations for engaging in violent motor vehicle theft. The paper discusses implications for youth policing, youth services, education and mental health, and provides participants’ perspectives on interventions to assist in preventing other young people engaging in crime.