Senior Sergeant Alan McCarthy inspects a parked vehicle. 25078
By Jade Lawton
MORE than 230 cars parked in the Cardinia Shire have been broken into this year, and police say your car is most at risk in your own street.
Senior Sergeant Alan McCarthy, of Pakenham Police, this week urged residents to help crack down on the “big-ticket” crime by contacting 000 if they saw suspicious people wandering residential streets.
Common items stolen include GPS units, laptops, coins, and mobile phones. Even clothes or sports bags left visible could be attractive to thieves, Sen Sgt McCarthy said.
“It is an easy crime to commit and made even easier by people leaving cars unlocked and valuable things in view, which allows criminals to go window shopping,” he said.
“If people secure their vehicles and considered where they park them …out on the street, your car is at risk.”
Last month 47 instances of theft from motor vehicles were reported in the Cardinia Shire. In April, 42 were reported; 56 in March, 40 in February and 48 in January.
Sen Sgt McCarthy said the crime traditionally spiked during school holidays, but that this was now not always the case.
“It used to be a school holiday crime, but now the types of people (committing the crimes) are not always engaged with school.”
Sen Sgt McCarthy said the typical offenders were male, aged 12-24.
“They steal money to purchase food, alcohol – they also do burgs of schools and businesses looking for cash and alcohol,” he said.
He said offenders could sometimes graduate to assaults and robberies.
“The quicker we can grab and process them, the better.”
Sen Sgt McCarthy said most thefts occurred in residential areas, with only a small number taking place in public car parks at supermarkets and railway stations.
He repeated calls for residents to park in a safe place, lock their vehicles and remove valuables from view.
He also called on people to contact 000 if they suspected unfamiliar people wandering residential streets were looking to commit the crime.
“Call 000 and if it turns out to be nothing, that’s fine. We speak to and check on people every hour of every day and night,” Sen Sgt McCarthy said.
