City in fear of thieves

Property hit as criminals run riot

A SPATE of property crime is gripping the city as car thieves and burglars run rampant throughout Townsville.

Inspector Leonie Steyger said the rate of break- ins and subsequent car thefts in the past five days was reminiscent of the 2016 figures that saw Townsville called “Crimsville”.

About 50 houses have been burgled and 25 cars stolen across Townsville since Friday with the incidents not limited to the weekend.

There were 11 break- ins and seven car thefts on Monday night and eight car thefts and 19 break- ins the night before.

Insp Steyger said police were responding to the increase in offences and had already made several arrests.

“The increased activity is connected to a small group of offenders, most of them known to police,” Insp Steyger said.

“Recidivist, or repeat, offenders make up a large portion of these sort of offences.

“The recent number ( of offences) is up there … it’s probably not quite where we were at last year but it’s not good.”

Insp Steyger said most of the break- ins in the past five days happened at unlocked properties.

She urged people to “lock it or lose it” and place car keys in a secure location, not on kitchen tables.

“It’s concerning in that people are home and people are also not securing their keys in their bedrooms or somewhere hidden,” Insp Steyger said.

“If someone does enter your home, ring police. We don’t want people getting hurt so ensure your family is safe and get police to attend.”

Meanwhile, the rainfall expected to hit Townsville in coming days may bring a reprieve.

The Townsville Bulletin revealed that criminals did not like getting wet back in October when the city received its first downpour in months.

There was a 45 per cent drop in property crime in the week rain fell compared with the dry week before.