Dried out

Strike Force Calyx saw 110 officers execute multiple search warrants and arrest 30 people in the first two days of a five-month operation targeting drugs and property crime. 

Wagga crime manager, Detective Inspector Darren Cloake, says there is strong nexus between the high rate of break and enters and drug use, but the scope of the operation has helped reduce the frequency.

“There’s been a reduction in break and enter offences and other property crime, robbery and assaults,” he said.

The number of break and entering homes has dramatically dropped from 14 to two incidents over the last two quarters in Wagga, according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

The latest data, from January to March, reveals the number of steal from retail store incidents dropped from 34 to 15, while stealing from a dwelling also dropped from eight to four incidents.

Detective Inspector Cloake said stolen motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicles still remained areas of concern for local police, while stealing from retail stores and fraud-related incidents surpassed local police estimates.

“We’re acutely aware, at any one stage, release of high-end offenders in some areas may (see an increase in some crime),” he said.

“It fluctuates from time to time.

“We’re calling upon more and more people to adhere to the advice provided by police in terms of home security and recording of property.”

Detective Inspector Cloake said police would continue to focus on property and juvenile crime in the new financial year.