Police are warning Wyndham residents to keep an eye on their trailers after a spate of thefts in the past two months.
Sergeant Shannon Thompson, of the Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit, said that during May and June about 40 trailers and a boat had been stolen.
He said it was unknown why trailers had been targeted, but the thefts were pushing up overall crime figures in the area.
“We’re finding that a lot of them are trailers that have been left on nature strips, either attached or unattached to a tree or a pole,” Sergeant Thompson said.
“There is obviously a value or market for trailers at the moment, or it’s possible that they are being used for greater crimes.”
An average trailer can fetch a price of about $2000.
Sergeant Thompson said Wyndham residents should take greater care when leaving trailers unattended. He said the “where and when” of the thefts appeared to be random, but there was nevertheless a strong element of calculation involved.
“They tend to be more of a calculated crime, rather than just by chance,” he said.
“We’re encouraging owners to park their trailers in their garage or rear yard if possible.”
Sergeant Thompson said reversing a car into a driveway so the trailer was blocked in was another way of hindering potential thieves.
Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour or has information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
