By Allon Lee
CAROLINE Springs and Deer Park has the second highest home burglary rates in Melbourne.
According to a new RACV Home Security review, one in every 13 homes in Caroline Springs and Deer Park is robbed each year.
Collingwood topped the survey with one in every 12 homes burgled.
In Sunshine and Albion, one in every 20 homes is burgled, while in Delahey and Hillside, the rate is one in every 22.
In St Albans and Kealba, it is one in every 27. The annual state average is one in 48 homes burgled.
The survey was compiled from Victoria Police and Australian Bureau of Statistics census figures.
Melton Shire deputy mayor Justin Mammarella said the large number of new housing estates in Caroline Springs and Deer Park was a primary cause of the high burglary rates.
“It is unfortunate it is happening and really we find that this is happening in a lot of new estates where people have recently finished building a home and new appliances have been put in,” Cr Mammarella said.
He encouraged residents to obtain home and contents insurance.
RACV Home Security general manager Peter Brindley said a number of factors contribute to burglary rates, including obvious displays of wealth, easy entry and escape routes, inadequate security measures and secluded, quiet or busy streets.
“Another less obvious factor often overlooked is that locals may consider their area safer than it actually is, and therefore aren’t as vigilant as they might be,” Mr Brindley said.
“This false sense of security can lead to people literally leaving the door open for thieves — and no doubt contributes to the number of thefts that occur,” he said.
