By ANEEKA SIMONIS
CARS parked in Officer and Pakenham were worst hit by thieves during the past week.
Between Monday 11 May and Sunday 17 May, police received nine reports of cars being targeted by thieves.
According to Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit’s (CIU) analyst Christine Wilde, thieves successfully got into six cars while unsuccessful attempts were made on three other vehicles.
Over the past few weeks, central Pakenham appears to have been a hotspot for opportunistic crims.
It appears thieves have moved further up Princes Highway in the past week, pushing up motor car theft statistics.
Police urge drivers to lock their cars at all times and remove valuables from sight.
Last week, five motor car thefts were reported to Cardinia police.