Station smash and grabs

Police warn of an increase in carpark thefts

POLICE have increased patrols in and around train station carparks after an increase in smash and grabs from parked cars.

In almost half of all theft from motor vehicle offences in the past nine weeks offenders broke a window to gain entry.

Geelong CIU Inspector Paul Edebone said train stations carparks, including Gee- long, Waurn Ponds and Marshall were the clear hot spots, with 50 per cent of all incidents occurring at local stations, but he said numbers were also up in Geelong West and Highton.

Vehicle owners are being reminded of the importance of locking cars and removing all valuable items to limit their risk of becoming a victim.

“We urging people to en- sure they are locking their cars but also make sure that they don’t leave any valuable items in their car,” Insp Edebone said.

“You can’t always stop people breaking in — but by not having valuables you can stop items being stolen.”

Police have warned that offenders are more active on Friday and Saturday nights and are targeting the passenger side window to gain access to visible, or poorly hidden items.

Cash, cards and bags are a regular target.

Community liaison officer Leading Senior Constable Andrew King said police would ramp up proactive and reactive patrols in car theft hot spots.

“From today we will start Operation Meet and Greet where we are going to the areas where there have been spikes and we raise awareness of what’s happening,” SenConstable King said.

“Police will approach you and ask if you have left any valuables in the car.”

Officers will also be posting reminder cards on vehicle windows with handy tips on how to prevent car theft.

Insp Edebone said CIU police would be continuing to investigate all car break-ins and were calling for anyone with information to come forward. “Frontline police will be tasked and we will be investigating and following up the offences,” he said.

Across the board car breakins have dropped over the past 12 months with Crime Statistics data revealing Greater Geelong’s rate of motor vehicle theft declined nearly 30 per cent to June.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.