By PAUL MILLAR
GEELONG is the state’s leader in firearm theft, with some villains stealing arms to order.
Police statistics supplied to the Independent show at least 66 weapons were stolen from the greater Geelong district from January 2014 to 18 April 2015.
Surf Coast had 15 weapons stolen, while Golden Plains recorded six, according to the LEAP police data base.
Geelong police Inspector Gary Bruce said burglars had specifically targeted firearms in recent years.
“It’s always a concern when firearms are stolen,” he said.
“Our message to gun owners is to make sure your weapon and your ammunition are secure.”
Insp Bruce said firearms were easily disposable in the underworld.
Some criminals were placing orders for the weapons they wanted, he said.
“The offenders buy guns and cut them down, they think they need something like that.
“They’re targeting properties on the fringes of Geelong. Some of these properties are isolated, both adults are out of the house and at work during the day.”
Insp Bruce said investigators had been closely monitoring recidivist offenders while encouraging multiple-gun owners to beef up security.
“We’ve done a significant amount of work with gun owners over firearm storage over recent years. Make sure your gun safe is hidden as much as possible so that friends or people who visit don’t see it.”
Police Minister Wade Noonan recently announced new laws to help a crackdown on gun thefts from registered owners on farms and other rural properties in Victoria.
The reforms include trafficking prosecutions for anyone caught with three or more unregistered firearms over a 12-month period.
The new laws will also help Victoria Police deal with the firearms of serious and organised-crime groups, such as bikies, when they are found with weapons but deny knowlege or ownership of the guns.
The laws will place the onus on gang members to show the firearm is not in their possession.
