Jennifer Pittorino
Residents in Newport are fearful over the safety of their cars and homes, following a series of repeated attacks.
Luke Westwick, along with his neighbours, want to know if the repeated attacks on their street are connected.
With his car stolen in November and another string of attacks in January, Mr Westwick and his neighbours are afraid and fed-up.
“On our street we have had car thefts and regular damage happening,” he said.
“We had about nine cars hit in one night, windows were smashed in and doors were jammed open.
“The residents are pretty upset about it and we have been asking around if anyone knows about all the …. damage.”
Mr Westwick lives on a street with very high foot traffic and limited street lighting, something he hopes Hobsons Bay council can address.
“There are a few lights every couple hundred metres, there are lamps but they are not on every pole,” he said.
Nearby is the Australian Islamic Centre which Mr Westwick said attracts 5000 to 10,000 visitors a day.
“There is a park near the mosque which has lighting but as far as the street, where people come from the neighbourhood or people walk, it’s not lit up very well at all,” he said.
“We just want proactiveness from the council. If this is happening regularly and the streets are really dark with people on the street till late and there is no adequate street lighting, then that’s an issue.”
In order to feel safer Mr Westwick would like more information on what the police are doing to investigate and apprehend any perpetrators.
“We want to know if it is a whole suburb thing or a few streets which are being targeted,” he said.
“It seems like it is an ongoing issue, this is happening quite regularly for any cars that are parked out on the street.
“There are definitely people regularly checking the cars.”
In response Victoria Police said Hobsons Bay Vehicle Crime Reduction Team detectives arrested a 20-year-old woman for thefts from motor vehicles in Newport on 29 January. Approximately 12 cars were broken into on Woods Street, Blenheim Road, Basil Street, Mason Street, Thorpe Street and Maddox Road between 12am and 4am. A 20-year-old Altona North woman was arrested on 1 March and interviewed. She was released pending summons and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Hobsons Bay council was also contacted for comment.
