By Natalee Kerr
Police are urging Geelong motorists to consider where they place their keys as latest data reveals vehicle theft as motivation for 15 per cent of home burglaries in the region.
Geelong Inspector Paul Edebone said thieves are commonly searching homes for car keys.
“Since October 2018, Geelong has experienced 1,040 incidents of residential burglary. Car theft was a motivating factor for almost two out of every 10 of these,” he said.
Crime Stoppers launched its Consideration is Key campaign in Geelong on Tuesday to increase awareness of car theft ahead of the busy summer period.
“In the Geelong area, the growth area increases dramatically because of obviously the Surf Coast,” Insp Edebone said.
“It’s important that leading up to that summer period we make sure that we put some preventative measures in place so people are aware what they are doing when they leave the house.”
In Victoria, 70 per cent of cars thefts occur when offenders have access to the vehicles key, with 45 per cent of cars stolen from homes, according to Crime Stoppers.
“We’ve seen an increase lately throughout Victoria of situations where cars are stolen from houses, and generally these days they get the keys from inside the house,” Insp Edebone said.
Insp Ebdone said local residents can limit potential thefts by securing keys in alternative areas.
“These thefts are almost always opportunistic,” he said.
“You don’t have to hide your keys, but you should be placing them in an area that’s familiar, safe and out of sight.”
Police encouraged any victims of car theft to phone Victoria police, while witnesses can make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers.
