WAGGA police have launched a massive fightback against the city’s break and enter scourge in a blitz that involves posting pictures of wanted crooks on Facebook, a deluge of additional officers and letter box drops of crime-prevention tips.
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Wagga Local Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector Darren Cloake, revealed details of the sting just hours before the crackdown kicked in.
The operation is in response to an alarming spike in property crime in January, including more than 70 residential break and enters so far, with fears the number will reach nearly 120 by the end of the month.
“Given the weight of the recent criminal activity in the Wagga area, a special taskforce has been established and we are drawing on a number of specialist sections within the police force to address, specifically, property crime,” Inspector Cloake said.
“And complementary to that there will be a community awareness campaign which will involve groups such as Neighbourhood Watch and our own police volunteers walking the streets of these high-risk areas on Sunday and Monday doing pamphlet drops seeking to make the community more aware of (crime) preventative measures that can be taken.”
Social media is being drafted into the anti-crime fight.
“Our community safety officer will publish on our Facebook page photographs of a number of offenders currently wanted by police and also images of offenders who are unknown to us, and we would be seeking public assistance in identifying and locating these people,” Inspector Cloake said.
The posts will be shared on the popular Wagga Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page.
“We are supporting this campaign 100 per cent,” said the president of Wagga Neighbourhood Watch, Wayne Deaner.
“We all need to come together as a community, these are all our neighbourhoods, we need to look after our neighbours.
“It can be a simple task of looking out for these suspicious people and giving police a ring.”
Inspector Cloake said police would step up patrols of “high risk” areas over the next few days using police brought in from other commands.
“We are drawing upon resources from the Monaro, Griffith, Shoalhaven, Cootamundra, Far South Coast and Deniliquin commands,” Inspector Cloake said.
“Tolland, Ashmont and Glenfield Park are the most vulnerable and times (of risk) vary, but Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights and some day times – such as Saturday when people are engaged in sporting or shopping activities – are high risk.”
“We must remind people it is only a small number of offenders from outside the area who are responsible for a majority of the crime, and we can prove that.”
Inspector Cloake said the key to trying to reduce property theft was community awareness, including making people alert to how they can reduce their vulnerability.
That includes making sure windows and doors were kept locked, even in the hot weather.
“A flyscreen will not protect you,” Inspector Cloake said.
“People are entering properties when occupants are asleep.”
Wallets, handbags, cash, mobile telephones, electronic tablets and car keys are being targeted by thieves.
They are using the car keys to steal vehicles, some of which are later set alight.
“We still have 11 stolen cars still not recovered,” Inspector Cloake said.
He said bicycles were also also becoming “red hot” targets of thieves because they could be used in quick getaways after break-ins.
Meanwhile, police are considering compiling a register of properties where closed circuit television cameras are installed.
The register would enable police to request to see CCTV footage in and around a crime scene in the hope of seeing the movements of suspects before and after an offence.
“Information is the key,” Inspector Cloake said.