Despite repeated warnings from police, it is Ballarat’s most common crime.
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New Crime Statistics Agency numbers show the offence “stealing from a motor vehicle” was recorded 1785 times across the city’s local government area in the last financial year.
And it is easily the most prevalent crime, having being detected much more than the second biggest offence, which was criminal damage.
Stealing from vehicles is becoming more widespread as Ballarat’s population bursts at the seams.
Back in 2014, the offence was detected only 1053 times in the same time period, according to the latest police data.
It has increased year-on-year ever since.
The advice senior Ballarat police have been telling residents has not changed over the years: lock your car and don’t leave anything inside.
Leading Senior Constable Janine Walker, who has worked in community crime prevention for more than 10 years in Ballarat, said tackling the problem required co-operation from both the public and police.
“Police are regularly targeting vehicle crime offenders, however, it is a shared responsibility and police require the community to take crime prevention action when it comes to their own property,” she said.
“Don’t leave your vehicle vulnerable.”
Police called on residents to lock vehicles, close all windows and ensure no valuables were left inside.
“What you think is worthless may be worth enough for a thief to break into your vehicle,” Leading Senior Constable Walker said.
“Don’t leave valuables within view. Lock them in the boot before you get to your destination or take them with you.”
The next most common crime was criminal damage, with 1080 offences being recorded in the 12 months to June, 2017.
Criminal damage includes arson, defacing property, tampering with a motor vehicle or threatening to destroy property.