ANOTHER four cars were found dumped and alight over the weekend, adding fuel to the blazing spate of cars being stolen.
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It follows revelations that a car is being swiped almost everyday in Wagga, with the monthly count amounting to 22.
Wagga police maintain all is being done to deter and detect this type of crime under stretched resources, welcoming the launch of the city’s CCTV to equip them with an extra tool to help fight crime.
“We suspect a group of individuals getting around, young people, who just do this for entertainment value,” duty officer Inspector Peter McLay said.
“It’s certainly hot on our priority list.”
A Ford Falcon parked in the driveway of a Lake Albert address was stolen after 4pm Saturday and located 12 hours later burnt out at Silverlite Reserve.
A Mazda CX-9 was also found burnt out next to it, but investigations into whether it was stolen were continuing, Inspector Peter McLay said.
A Mitsubishi van was taken from Missouri Avenue, Tolland some time between 10pm Saturday and when it was recovered burning on Nyrang Street about 12.45am Sunday.
A fourth vehicle was found alight on Dunns Road, Springvale about 8pm Saturday, but police are yet to determine whether the Marrar-registered Mitsubishi Mirage was stolen.
Turvey Park was the most affected suburb with the highest incidence of stolen cars, while Ashmont’s Silverlite Reserve was a popular dumping spot because many arterial roads backed onto it.
“We are endeavouring to patrol these areas and hot spots, but we just haven’t got the resources to be in places 24/7 so we do rely on public (input),” Inspector McLay said.
But Wagga police have been granted some help, with the city’s CCTV cameras are already assisting officers crack down on crime.
Marking a new era in public safety, 25 cameras, costing $1.1 million, were “switched on” across Station Place, Baylis Street, Fitzmaurice Street and the Gurwood Street taxi rank on Friday, sending live footage back to the police station.
On its first night, the CCTV detected four offensive behaviour incidents and two failure to quit licenced premises in the CBD, while it also helped identify an offender from a retail theft in Baylis Street earlier that day.
“It’s proving to be a great tool for law enforcement,” Inspector McLay said.