By Alesha Capone
DEER Park has the third-highest rate of home burglaries within the state, according to new statistics from the RACV.
One in 28 homes within the suburb was robbed during the past financial year, the insurance company’s annual analysis of crime figures shows.
Parkville was first on the list with one in 26 homes burgled.
Several Brimbank areas were included in the RACV’s list of the Melbourne metropolitan region’s Top 40 burgled suburbs.
St Albans East, Kealba and Kings Park were equal eleventh on the list, with one in every 34 homes getting burgled during the past financial year.
Next on the list was Ardeer at 28, Derrimut with 31, Delahey and Hillside reached 32, Sunshine and Albion made 36 and Keilor was number 40.
Footscray, Hoppers Crossing, Wyndham Vale, Footscray West, Maidstone, Werribee South and Maribyrnong were also among the top 40 riskiest areas.
Senior Sergeant Fred Grove from Sunshine police station said burglaries were “reasonably high” in the Deer Park area.
“Deer Park is a developing suburb with a lot of large new homes and generally there are mortgage issues, which requires both people to work and the house is often unattended during the day,” he said.
“A lot of homes which are under construction also have whitegoods, building materials, tiles and builders’ tools stolen overnight.”
Sen Sgt Grove said some suburbs were much bigger than others and a large amount of people moving to the area could cause places to rise up the RACV list.
He said police have “specifically formed the Brimbank Burglary Crew”, which has been tackling the issue of home burglaries since mid-July.
“We’re hoping this group will have a positive impact and a down-turn in burglary rates,” he said.
Sen Sgt Grove urged anyone who saw suspicious activity to call 000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information about past burglaries.
The RACV’s general manager of Home Services Peter Brindley said homes in high-growth corridors were at “significant risk” and urged residents to take measures to improve home security.
He said this included always locking up and keeping gardens well-trimmed to remove potential hiding spots for burglars.
