At least eight Sunbury homes have been targeted by burglars in recent weeks and police are calling for residents to be vigilant.
Burglars have hit homes on Albert Road, Bundanoon Avenue, Darbyshire Street, La Perouse Close, Ponsford Place, Ramsay Court, Saxonwood Drive and Wildflower Drive.
Detective Senior Constable Renee Prestia, of Hume CIU, said the break-ins happened throughout January.
“There has been a significant increase in residential burglaries in the Sunbury area [this month],” she said. “Some of the burglaries had bicycles stolen and this could possibly have something to do with it being school holidays at the moment. In others jewellery, iPads, mobile phones and other valuables were taken.”
She said the burglaries were not concentrated in a particular area.
“We are likely looking for more than one offender involved in these burglaries,” she said.
“The streets that were targeted are spread out, so it appears that they could possibly be unrelated.”
The crimes come as data released by the Crime Statistics Agency last month revealed there was a 27.2 per cent increase in burglary/break and enter incidents in Sunbury in the past year.
The figures also showed an overall 20 per cent rise in crime across Hume.
Senior Constable Prestia encouraged residents to tighten their security arrangements and keep their eyes open.
“Residents should be looking out for suspicious people driving vehicles around,” she said. “And keep their homes, vehicles and valuable belongings locked away.
“If they see anything, they should contact police immediately. ”
Two Sunbury residents commented on the Hume Eyewatch Facebook page about their experiences with recent thefts in their neighbourhoods.
“I know of one these burgs and yes they attempted to steal a motorbike. But didn’t get far with it,” one woman posted.
“It’s all over Sunbury. We were cleaned out while on holidays [in September] and they came back a few times without anybody noticing,” another said.
Anyone in need of police assistance should call 000 or make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
