Homes in Williams Landing are more likely to be burgled than any other suburb in Victoria, an RACV analysis of crime statistics reveals.
One in every 19 households was burgled during 2014-15, three times the state average of one in 67 homes.
Next worst on the list were Broadmeadows and Dallas, with one in 24 homes burgled, and third place went to Greenvale, with one in every 25 properties burgled.
Werribee Crime Investigation Unit’s detective sergeant Mark Sagona said burglaries are, in fact, trending down slowly but steadily.
“We have a massive population, with new houses being built daily, and this needs to be taken into account.”
He said jewellery, home appliances, entertainment equipment and cars were often the targets of burglars.
Detective sergeant Sagona suggested alarms and CCTV cameras could help prevent burglaries.
“This also helps with our investigations after a burglary,” he said.
RACV’s home services general manager, Aaron Flavell, said the high rates of construction at Williams Landing could be a reason for the high rate of burglaries.
“There is a lot of space between homes and not as many people in the streets,” he said.
“Many new homes don’t have curtains or blinds up just yet, so burglars can see inside to know if anybody is home.
“New homes being built means there will be newly bought items … which are definitely appealing to burglars,” he said.
Mr Flavell said 60 per cent of burglars will move onto the next home if an alarm system is visible, or if there is a dog,
