Parents are being warned to take valuables out of their cars following a spate of smash and grab robberies from childcare centre carparks.
Wyndham police have recorded at least three incidents since mid-June where offenders have smashed front passenger-side windows and stolen handbags and other valuables.
The thefts in childcare centre carparks in Truganina and Tarneit have occurred during drop-off and pick-up times in the morning and afternoon.
Senior Constable Kellie Innes said each of the targeted cars had been locked.
“We’re encouraging people, even if they have locked their car, to remove their handbags and personal belongings out of sight,” she said.
“Mums dropping kids off have been in [the centre] for less than 20 minutes and come back to find the window smashed and their handbag gone.
“They were very quick smash and grab jobs.”
Senior Constable Innes said police were not getting much help from CCTV footage, because the cameras were trained on the childcare centres rather than the carparks.
Wyndham’s crime rate has dropped 2.3 per cent in the past year, despite a rise in burglaries, breaches of court orders, drug use and possession.
The area recorded a drop in assaults, property damage, theft and deceptions.
Anyone with information can call Werribee police station on 9742 9444.
