THREE more cars stolen overnight on Tuesday has fuelled victims to call for beefed-up police resources as the number of vehicles swiped each night in the city accelerates.
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Those affected by the brazen thefts have pointed to increased police officers, tougher penalties and “bait cars” as potential solutions to the problem crippling all Wagga suburbs. But police have reassured all is being done to counter the scourge and reissued warnings to secure homes and cars.
Paul Diessel believes the onus is on parents to stem the rise of car thefts, but welcomed additional officers and bait cars in problematic hot spots. The Turvey Park man, who had two cars stolen from his driveway within four weeks in July, said increased police presence could help drive down crime.
“They definitely need bait cars,” Mr Diessel said. “You can never have enough police officers. They’re doing their best with that they’ve got.”
Moses Tushabe wants tighter laws around young offenders, after his brother’s car was stolen and a second was torched in the front yard of their Mount Austin home in March.
“They should charge the underage kids so they can’t do it again,” he said.
William George, who had a Ford Falcon ute stolen and later found burnt out at the Music Bowl in July, believes mobile CCTV cameras at hot spots such as Silvalite Reserve could help curb the number of cars being torched.
He said additional police would also “definitely” help.
“It goes back to more policing and police being better trained to deal with the situation better,” Mr George said. “It’s (also) about neighbours talking to neighbours.”
It follows three cars being stolen from Ashmont and Estella overnight Tuesday, where thieves gained entry by forcing the rear door open and stealing car keys.
Wagga Sergeant Paul Huggett said police target areas where offences occurred and were taking “all precautions”. Officers are covering extra shifts to deal with the spike, he said.
“Police remind people to secure their residencies, including their garage doors,” he added.
A Jeep stolen from Ashmont, which was involved in a police pursuit, was later located destroyed by fire in Mount Austin early Wednesday. One of two vehicles stolen from Matheson Place, Estella was later located in the Silvalite reserve, while a silver 2003 Toyota RAV 4 has not been located.
