A TEAM of Wyndham police officers is making a dent in the number of thefts from motor vehicles in the city.
The crime impact team, set up last year to tackle theft of and from motor vehicles, recently charged a man over breaking into vehicles around the municipality.
The 24-year-old Wyndham Vale man is accused of 29 offences between May and June, including theft from a motor vehicle, obtaining property by deception, handling stolen goods and driving while disqualified.
He was arrested on June 6 and bailed to appear at Werribee Magistrates Court on September 4.
Sergeant Ben Jarman said the crime impact team was working hard to reduce thefts of and from motor vehicles. But he said motorists also had to take measures to stop opportunistic thieves.
“This includes parking off-street, possibly in a garage or, if you have to park on the street, park in well-lit areas.
“Don’t leave your car unlocked, make sure the windows are closed, and remove all valuables from sight.”
As reported by the Weekly, 1899 thefts from motor vehicles were reported to Wyndham police between April 2012 and March this year – up 17.6 per cent on the previous year.
Motor vehicle thefts increased 12.4 per cent to 509.
A group of young people was recently charged with close to 100 thefts from motor vehicles, while a woman was charged with stealing number plates.
