BURGLARIES and hoon behaviour have driven Epping North residents to set up a Neighbourhood Watch group.
Aurora Community Association president Cara Horner and concerned neighbours met Senior Constable Les Mathieson, Whittlesea’s Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, last week to discuss ways to fight back.
“There have been a lot of burglaries and people have been feeling unsafe,” Ms Horner said.
“Aurora Estate is a prime area for thieves because not all the houses are occupied in the newer areas. New houses with shiny new things are very appealing.
“In the more developed areas, most people work full-time and not many people are around.
“There has also been hoon behaviour, with teenagers and P-platers doing burnouts in their cars, and there’s unsavoury behaviour late at night. People are tired of this.”
Ms Horner said her team, a sub-group of Whittlesea City Neighbourhood Watch, would hold community information sessions and letterbox drops on how to make houses safer and how to keep yourself safe.
Senior Constable Mathieson said there were 131 house burglaries in the City of Whittlesea in April, 61 of them in Epping, 38 in Mill Park and 32 in Whittlesea. There have been 166 thefts from cars in April in the City of Whittlesea.
The Aurora group will distribute a newsletter. “We will also have representation at the Whittlesea City Neighbourhood Watch to pick up ideas, share success stories and find out what works for other groups.”
Ms Horner encouraged residents to register as members and get involved in bi-monthly meetings. Details: aurora.asn.au/nw-epping-north.
