Taskforce to tackle city crime
A DEDICATED taskforce will crack down on stolen cars and property crime across Toowoomba after a spike in reported offences since July 1.
A specialised property crime group, trialled across the Darling Downs region last year, has been reformed to tackle the spate of offences including evading police and unlawful use of vehicles.
It’s part of a larger crackdown on property crime across the Garden City as police field an increase in the number of reported break and enter offences since the new financial year.
“We had a number of operations going last year and we’re reinvigorating a number of crime squads in the district to address property crime,” City Patrol Group Inspector Stephen Angus said.
“There has been an increase in stolen cars.
“We are finding offences such as break and enter into houses and dwellings where offenders are identifying keys as a result of that offence and committing other offences.”
Known as sneak-breaks, the largely opportunistic crime allows offenders to steal modern cars often fitted with security devices and immobilisers.
Insp. Angus urged residents to be mindful of home and vehicle security to make the offending “as difficult as possible” for offenders.
“People need to make sure houses are property locked and secured, that cars are locked and secured, with items of value out of view or taken inside the home,” he said.
Juveniles are among the offenders identified by police as part of investigations, but warn adults have also been charged with various offences.