Soft target for burglars

GREATER Dandenong is the home burglary capital of the south-east, according to the RACV.
RACV’s home services general manager Aaron Flavell said 2014/15 crime statistics showed the one in 67 Victorian homes was burgled, compared to one in 53 in Greater Dandenong.
Keysborough has the highest burglary risk in the municipality, with one in 39 households targeted in 2014/15.
Springvale South was the safest, recording one burglary per 103 homes.
One in 53 Springvale homes was burgled, compared to one in 58 in Dandenong.
Mr Flavell said there were often complex reasons why some areas had higher burglary rates.
“Home owners can effectively reduce their chance of being burgled by increasing the would-be burglar’s risk of being disturbed or caught,” he said.
“Research shows that burglars are less likely to target a property if a security system is present.
“Thieves look for easy entry into homes, so make sure that your doors and windows are well secured with locks made to Australian standards and that you lock up when you go out – even for short periods.”