Police take a swipe at negligent car owners

OPPORTUNISTIC thieves are swiping car keys and then making off with the owner’s car at alarming rates according to police.
Police have responded to a spate of car thefts over recent weeks in which thieves have had access to keys left in plain sight – either in the car itself, on garage walls or in a second vehicle.
In 2014, there were 634 car thefts in the Greater Dandenong Police Service Area – an average of 12 cars per week.
Inspector Bruce Kitchen said the number of cars stolen had dramatically increased to about 20 per week.
“It’s concerning to see that residents aren’t thinking about the consequences of their actions,” he said.
“When you look at how common this type of crime is, it’s astonishing to think that people are still leaving their keys lying around.
“Car thieves look for easy targets. If they have the choice between an unlocked car with keys in the ignition and one that is locked and secure – you know which one they’ll take.
“It’s the sense of complacency that’s driving this crime category through the roof.
“And it’s not just happening in residential locations.
“We’ve seen keys stolen from change rooms in public facilities which have led to the theft of cars parked nearby.
Inspector Kitchen said the solution was simple – owners should keep keys somewhere safe, secure and out of sight.
“And, as always, remember to lock your vehicle, remove your valuables, park in well-lit areas and report suspicious behaviour to police.”