Blitz tackles Whittlesea crime

POLICE will blitz the Whittlesea area to crack down on the repeat offenders behind rising crime rates.

They will target burglaries, thefts from cars, assaults and other offences under the state-wide Operation Bia.

The focus is on regions plagued by crime surges and on crimes specific to particular areas, according to Chief Commissioner Ken Lay.

In Whittlesea, the types of crimes on the rise are burglaries, car thefts, drug offences and robberies.

Victoria Police statistics indicate house burglaries showed the biggest increase, of 34 per cent, in the 12 months to March this year compared with the previous 12 months.

Whittlesea police will reinforce home security, personal safety and road safety awareness.

Mr Lay said police would concentrate on areas such as transport hubs, entertainment precincts and central activity districts.

Police will be at Westfield Plenty Valley on Thursday, August 16 and will hold an information expo on Saturday, August 25 at Mernda Village Community Activity Centre.