By LAURA WAKELY
BRIMBANK police arrested 16 people over the space of a week for burglaries.
Brimbank detectives have cracked down on residential and commercial burglaries in the past month after recent crime statistics released in May revealed a 61 per cent increase in home burglaries.
One offender in the St Albans area was charged with 30 burglary offences alone, while a total of 19 arrests and 95 charges have been laid in relation to burglary crimes last month.
Brimbank Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Mark Guthrie said police were committed to reducing the number of burglaries throughout Brimbank.
He said police were making an arrest every day thanks to thorough investigations at the CIU and Keilor Downs-based burglary unit.
Brimbank police have recently created a second burglary unit based at Caroline Springs to deal with the increase in burglaries, some of which are also occurring at commercial properties and industrial estates.
Among the stolen items were jewellery, electrical equipment, cash, alcohol, women’s accessories and, in one case, shelves and doors from a newly-built home.
“We’re always asking for the public to assist,” Det Sgt Guthrie said.
“We need their help to help stem the flow of burglaries in residential and factory areas.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Brimbank CIU on 9313 3400.
