Thieves strike it rich in Casey

By Lia Bichel
STEALING from cars is a favourite activity among thieves in Casey. The municipality had the fourth highest number of reported thefts from vehicles in Victoria last financial year.
Police data shows that Casey had recorded 1867 offences in the year to 30 June 2009. Although the number was down from 1902 the previous year Leading Senior Constable Angela Kennett said theft from cars continued to be a major problem in Casey.
“We’re getting hit really hard at the moment,” she said.
Leading Sen Const Kennett said people should take their valuables out of their cars and make sure they locked their vehicles.
Statewide, there were 47,366 thefts from cars, with number plates, cash and GPS devices being the most commonly stolen items. Wallets and computers were not far behind, and tools, handbags, mobile phones, sunglasses and iPods rounded out the top 10 items stolen. Figures were down 10 per cent throughout Victoria from the previous 12 months, but police said there was still a lot more people could do to help reduce the numbers.
“It’s a simple message – remove it or lose it,” Assistant Commissioner Tim Cartwright said. Casey’s thefts from cars trailed behind Brimbank’s 2305, Yarra’s 2616 and Melbourne’s 3395.