At least two Wagga homes a day have been broken into over a 12-month period, latest crime statistics reveal.
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Uranquinty resident Jan Bourke knows all too well the pain of being targeted by criminals. In January, her home was broken into and her car stolen and set alight - all within a matter of four days.
From December 2017 to December 2018, there was 741 break and enter into dwellings. In the 12 months previous, there were 772 offences.
Mrs Bourke said in the following months she has tried to move on.
"It's not easy," she said. "I am locking up and locking my gates and doing things I have never done before. I double-check everything now."
Mrs Bourke said hearing the statistics are shocking.
"It's terrible," she said.
"It may be a big area, but that's still a lot of people being robbed and going through heartache.
"It's the victims that suffer not the perpetrators because we have to find the money to replace it."
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Riverina Police District's Superintendent Bob Noble said the statistics are fairly similar to that of recent years.
"The local government area of Wagga has a large population and a high number of whom are at a disadvantage," he said.
"People who suffer disadvantages, particularly in regional areas, are more at risk of being a victim or an offender. I would also like to point out that the more recent figures are promising."
Superintendent Noble said on Friday, there had been no reports of break and enters of car thefts in 24 hours.
"The plans that Wagga police are rolling out are being effective," he said.
"The recently appointed crime manager has been doing some great work."
Superintendent Noble also welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack's announcement of funding for a new PCYC building.
"We deal with a lot of young offenders," he said. "So a project like this helps us to get ahead."
Mrs Bourke said she would encourage the community of Wagga to be on the lookout.
"I lived in Uranquinty for 30 years and I never thought this would happen to me," she said.
"Then it happened twice in a few days and I was left feeling like a prisoner in my own home."
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