By YASEMIN TALAT
WILLIAMS LANDING has become the most burgled suburb in the West and the second most burgled postcode in all of Victoria.
RACV’s crime statistics analysis revealed Victoria’s top 10 most burgled postcodes, placing Williams Landing second on the ladder with a burglary rate of 1 in 26 homes.
Wyndham Police Inspector Damien Christensen said the statistics should not alarm residents.
“There’s not an epidemic of burglaries in any proportion there,” Insp Christensen said.
“It’s probably even a low rate compared to the amount of how many houses are there.”
Insp Christensen said the small number of homes in the area resulted in a higher percentage of burglaries when compared to an area with more homes and the same number of burglaries.
He said the burglary statistics in Williams Landing also included burglary from homes which were under construction and not occupied, another factor which would increase the results.
“It happens in developing suburbs because there are a lot of unoccupied houses under construction,” Insp Christensen said.
“Whether it is hot water meters or kitchen taps and sinks, we are working on that but they also go under the same burglary category.”
RACV’S crime statistics analysis showed hot spots such as Wyndham Vale, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook all had big improvements and dropped off the list.
Insp Christensen said overall Wyndham was doing extremely well with burglaries averaging fewer than 100 per month.
He said burglaries in the municipality reduced by up to 40 per cent in the last 12 months.
“Police and detectives are doing a tremendous job in the reduction rate of burglaries in Wyndham,” he said.
“I can assure the people in Williams Landing we don’t have a problem in Williams Landing and overall Wyndham is tracking really well in relation to this crime theme.”
Insp Christensen said dedicated units worked tirelessly to break down different crime themes, including burglary.
“We have greater resources dedicated to this type of crime,” Insp Christensen said.
“And we have a dedicated burglary crew and they’re doing a marvellous job.”
Insp Christensen encouraged all residents to take extra precautions leading into the summer and Christmas season.
“People who are planning to go away or have houses vacant should notify their neighbours and put actions in place around their letter box,” Insp Christensen said.
“Don’t assume that you can’t lock up and you can’t be safe; you can have methods in place,” he said.
“And we encourage the community to really be on top of it.”
Insp Christensen also warned residents to take extra precautions with their motor vehicles by locking up and not leaving valuables inside, especially at shopping centres.
“Stay alert, lock up and notify the right people and be safe this time of year.”
