By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK police are warning homeowners to be vigilant following an alarming spike in burglaries.
In the first week of June, police were called to investigate 28 burglaries – an average of four per day.
The heists were committed in Ardeer, Sunshine West, Deer Park, Cairnlea and Derrimut.
Police say the majority of burglaries were residential, with new housing estates the hardest hit.
Detectives from the Brimbank Burglary Unit believe some of the crimes could be linked.
In most cases, the thieves struck during the day, targeting homes where the owners were at work and valuable items were left on display.
Small, easy to move items were the most likely to be stolen, with jewellery, computer equipment and phones proving the most popular for theives.
Police are warning residents to be vigilant to protect their properties and keep an eye out for their neighbours.
They are also urging homeowners to keep their valuables hidden and their curtains drawn.
“Almost 80-90 per cent of the burglaries have been residential and have happened during the day,” Sunshine Criminal Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Fred Grove told Star.
“If anyone witnesses any suspicious activity, they should notify police straight away.
“If they see a strange car, they should take down the registration and description.
“If it turns out to be a false alarm, that’s fine but it could just help to solve a crime.”
The recent burglary spike has bucked an overall downward trend in the crime, with latest Victoria Police statistics revealing a 13.8 per cent fall in residential burglaries over the past year.
But commercial burglaries are on the rise, with an extra 109 incidents reported between April 2010 – March 2011, a 22.4 per cent rise in 12 months. Anyone with any information about burglaries or other illegal activity can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
