These burbs are a real steal POLICE REVEAL CAR BREAK-IN HOTSPOTS
MORE cars are being broken into in Geelong suburbs with Belmont, Geelong, Grovedale, Herne Hill and Norlane hotspots for the crime, police have revealed.
The details come as officers ramp up patrols at train stations after a spate of smash and grabs at Geelong and Waurn Ponds.
Police say streets in the most tar- geted suburbs have had multiple break-ins.
They say most cars being broken into are parked in the driveway or directly outside the house where offenders have easy access to the vehicle.
Items being listed as stolen include power tools — which are the most common item taken — along with cash, credit cards, handbags and purses.
Police say most offenders are stealing the goods from unlocked cars. 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 are urging people to ensure they are locking their cars but also make sure that they don’t leave any valuable items in their car,” Inspector Paul Edebone said recently.
“You can’t always stop people breaking in — but by not having valuables you can stop items being stolen.”
Insp Edebone also said CIU police would be continuing to investigate all car break-ins and were calling for anyone with information to come forward.
In September thieves broke into dozens of cars across Geelong in a four-day smash-and-grab spree, hitting cars parked in streets, car parks, car yards and carports in Whittington, St Albans, Newcomb, Geelong, Belmont and Grovedale.
The greatest number of cars broken into were from Grovedale, with 14 incidents occurring in open-air car parks.
Police say 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.
Anyone with information on any car break-ins should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.