ON average, one in every 59 houses in Newport, Spotswood and Laverton was burgled in the 2011-12 financial year, new figures show.
An analysis of 2011-12 Victorian crime statistics by insurer RACV shows the western suburbs have again topped the rankings for the highest burglary rates in the state.
Across Melbourne, Williams Landing was the hardest hit with an average of one burglary for every 15 houses, followed by Ardeer (one in 16), Mernda and Doreen (one in 19) and Wyndham Vale (one in 23).
In Hobsons Bay, there was one burglary on every 62 houses in Williamstown and one in every 68 in Altona — but the municipality’s suburbs were well outside the top 40 most burgled areas.
Inspector Bill Mathers said although residential burglaries were lower across Hobsons Bay than in neighbouring municipalities, they had still risen by almost 23 per cent in the 12 months to July. “When the economy tightens, there tends to be a spike in burglaries and thefts from and of motor vehicles,” he said.
“Don’t make your home an easy target. If you have door and window locks, use them, and keep your valuable out of sight.
“Cars are now being stolen from inside garages. The days of leaving houses and cars unlocked in the driveway are long gone, so take all the necessary precautions to make sure you don’t become a victim.” RACV general manager of home services Peter Brindley said people could take simple steps to minimise the chance of a break-in.
“Connecting professional security monitoring to your home alarm is an effective deterrent to thieves.
“It’s important to get in the habit of ensuring doors and windows are locked when you go out, and of halting paper and mail deliveries when on holidays.” —Cameron Tait
