Victoria Police has joined forces with Wyndham service clubs in a new crime prevention push.
The north-west metro division’s proactive policing unit has teamed up with Rotary, Lions, Apex and Neighbourhood Watch clubs across Wyndham for Operation Core, which started this month.
Sergeant Rosa Rossi says Operation Core is aimed at educating residents and community groups about being vigilant in preventing crime, especially theft of and from cars, as well as personal safety.
Data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows 588 number plates were stolen in 2015.
Sergeant Rossi said Wyndham had the highest number of thefts from motor vehicles in the Westgate division, which includes Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, over the past three months.
As part of Operation Core, the newly formed Williams Landing Neighbourhood Watch will target areas of Wyndham affected by a recent spike in aggravated burglaries.
Volunteers from the community groups will help distribute 12,000 crime prevention brochures.
Volunteers will also distribute the brochures around Hobsons Bay next month and in Maribyrnong during September and October.
“[We have] identified a number of community groups keen to assist Victoria Police in crime prevention while promoting vigilance in the community and awareness of crime prevention methods,” Sergeant Rossi said.
“Historically, Neighbourhood Watch, Apex, Rotary, the Lions Club and Community Against Crime have been informed of Victoria Police initiatives and statistics without being further engaged for proactive operations in areas of most need.”
