Police have urged gun owners to be vigilant in keeping track of and storing their weapons after the theft of weapons at a Smeaton property.
Senior Sergeant Wendy Lambert said police were investigating the theft of firearms from a Smeaton property.
“The owner of a property discovered roughly at midday yesterday that his firearms had been stolen,” Senior Sergeant Lambert said.
“The occupant went to go and look at the firearms and noticed his safe had been forced.”
Senior Sergeant Lambert said the owner had not checked his firearms for some time making it difficult for police to determine when the firearms had been stolen.
“We don’t want firearms to get in the wrong hands,” Senior Sergeant Lambert said.
“Owners need to vigilant about checking their firearms are secure.”
Latest Crime Statistics data shows weapons offences have increased by 19.4 per cent in the Ballarat area over the past 12 months.
Olivia Shying
Police and emergency services reporter.
Police and emergency services reporter.
