The joint The Courier, CrimeStoppers and Victoria Police initiative will this week focus on burglary.

Last week’s initiative – focusing on alleged aggravated burglary offences – achieved a 100 per cent success rate.

Of six alleged offenders named, three were picked up within 24 hours with the remaining three all in custody by Sunday evening.

Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are applauding the community’s involvement in solving crime.

Crime Stoppers chief executive Sam Hunter urged members of the community to continue to be vigilant in reporting suspicious behaviour. 

“I think that this very local, very Ballarat driven campaign shows just how much the community cares,” Ms Hunter said. 

“Crime Stoppers catch cry has always been if you see something, if you know something, say something and last week the public really embraced that call to action.”

Ballarat’s highest ranking police officer, Superintendent Andrew Allen said he hoped the initiative was raising community awareness about the need to lock cars and prevent theft opportunity. 

“Much of the high volume crime that Ballarat is experiencing is opportunistic crime,” Superintendent Allen said.

“It’s happening because it is quite simply made simple for the offenders to gain access to homes, sheds and cars.

“Take a little more time and a little more care in securing your assets. Simple steps are often the most effective.” 

The identity of a further five alleged offenders were released today by Victoria Police.

“We believe that these offenders are still in the area and that the community can help us locate them,” Superintendent Allen said.