Residents who observe any hoon-like behaviour are being encouraged to report the incident to Crime Stoppers, either by phone or on line.

Ararat Police Constable Kirsty Hellebrand said the information police are specifically seeking is the vehicle's make and colour, registration number, driver if known, location of the incident, date, time and the type of hoon activity.

''We are planning to collate all the information together over the next couple of months and then run a targeted operation to reduce the amount of hoon activity in the Ararat area,'' Constable Hellebrand said.

Const Hellebrand said hoon activity is more noticeable in residential areas as the weather warms up.

''It has become a safety issue because it is occurring in residential areas,'' she said.

''We want to get on top of it now.''

Members of the public can report hoon activity to police by phoning Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by visiting www.crimestoppers.com.au and clicking on the map of Victoria and then on `Report crime information online' (callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to give their names.)

Since its launch in April 2008, the state-wide hoon hotline has allowed police to gather intelligence in order to target specific areas of activity with enforcement operations.

At the launch of the hotline, Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay said drivers who might be tempted to do the wrong thing should think again as they now have more chance than ever of being caught.

Since July 2006, thousands of vehicles have been impounded in Victoria at a rate of approximately 70 per week.

Drivers who choose to exceed the speed by over 45km/h, engage in dangerous driving practices or street race against other motorists are among those who have had to stand by and watch their vehicle being towed away for an initial 48 hours.

Repeat offenders can lose their vehicle for three months, with three-time and above recidivists at risk of losing their vehicle permanently.

While reports from the public provided important information to police, offenders still need to be caught in the act of `hoon driving' to have their vehicle taken off them.

Police can't impound cars just because a report has been made.

''Our message has always been simple - if you break the law, you will lose your vehicle,'' Mr Lay said.