Break-ins prompt calls to secure homes

POLICE are urging people to improve their home security following a significant rise in residential burglaries across Wyndham.

Statistics reveal residential burglaries have increased by about 30 per cent in the past 12 months.

The warning comes in the wake of a spate of break-ins, including one at a Point Cook house on Wednesday, April 18.

Police believe

the intruders gained entry to the Beacon Avenue house through a sliding window, which may have been left open.

A laptop, notebook computer and cash were stolen.

Sergeant Patrick Spezza of Wyndham’s crime scene services said people should be vigilant with their home security and ensured all doors and windows were locked when they were not at home.

He said residents should also ensure their mailboxes were not overflowing and to organise family or friends to collect mail when on holidays.

“[Overflowing mail boxes] can indicate to offenders that the house is currently unoccupied or the person is away on holidays.”

Sergeant Spezza said it was useful to ensure there was adequate lighting around the house and nothing in the garden which could be used to break into a house.

“Police would like to reiterate to the public to

immediately report any suspicious activity by calling triple-0,” he said.