MELTON is among Melbourne’s worst areas for car theft.
RACV data released last week showed 13 cars were stolen in Melton and eight in Melton South in the year to December.
Melton was ranked seventh for vehicle thefts, behind St Albans (19 vehicles), Frankston (17), Epping (17), Reservoir (16), Werribee (16) and Craigieburn (14).
Overall, 921 claims for theft were lodged by RACV members in metropolitan Melbourne, while 1111 claims were received statewide.
Melton’s Inspector Stephen Mutton said the introduction this year of a ‘vehicle tasking crime unit’ had helped reduce car thefts.
“The unit is specifically tasked to look at theft of, and from, motor vehicles, and over the past three months we’ve had a decrease of nearly 16 per cent in theft of motor vehicles,” he said.
“We also look at the areas where the cars are stolen so can we target them with patrols.
‘‘Some of the cars being stolen are left unlocked so the message is: don’t leave keys in the car and don’t leave property visible in the car.”
RACV insurance general manager Paul Northey said motorists should always lock their vehicles, even if only leaving the vehicle for a short time. ‘‘Most vehicles were reported stolen between 6am and 6pm and this is an important reminder that thieves are opportunistic and will strike anywhere.”
