Car theft soared by 38 per cent in Wyndham last year, according to new police statistics.
Released last week, the data revealed the number of car thefts rose from 456 in 2013 to 629 last year, and the thefts had jumped 57 per cent since 2010.
Wyndham has the second-highest rate of car theft across the western suburbs, behind only Brimbank (930) but well above neighbouring Melton (462) and more than double Hobsons Bay (266).
Werribee police crime prevention officer Craig McDonald said the numbers of thefts from vehicles, particularly around railway station and shopping centres, was also a major concern.
“Theft from vehicles is one of our biggest issues, even more than vehicle theft,” Leading Senior Constable McDonald said.
“Police recently conducted operations at Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Williams Landing, Aircraft and Laverton railway stations and after patrolling for an hour [at each] we found 13 cars with valuables on display and four cars that were unlocked.
“Crooks will just patrol carparks, looking inside cars and checking door handles until they find one that’s open. People are making it too easy for them, still leaving phones, laptops and handbags on the front seat or cash in the centre console,” he said.
“Thieves will only break into vehicles when they see the potential for reward, so don’t make it tempting. Blankets are often used to cover up items on the back seat, but that’s not a good idea because thieves will assume there’s something valuable underneath.
“Unfortunately, some people never seem to learn and they don’t change their behaviour until they become a victim.
“Some people still leave their cars unlocked in their driveway or they get out and forget about it and go to bed.”
According to the most recent statistics available, theft from vehicles rose 2.6 per cent in Wyndham in the 12 months to last October.
In January, police warned Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes residents to lock up after a spate of opportunistic thefts from unlocked cars and garages, with reports of vehicles being stolen after keys had been left inside.
Leading Senior Constable McDonald said police would continue to target thefts at railway station and shopping centre carparks.
