Homes in Mernda and Doreen are among the most burgled in the state, according to RACV statistics of Victoria’s burglary hotspots.
The company analysed Victorian crime statistics to identify the state’s top 10 most at-risk suburbs.
Heidelberg West, Heidelberg Heights and Bellfield topped the list, with a rate of one in 25 homes burgled this year, against a statewide average of one in 71.
Mernda, Doreen and Williams Landing came in second, with homes burgled at a rate of one in 26.
Mill Park crime investigation unit head, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Smith said many burglaries occurred at houses under construction.
“Because Doreen and Mernda have these new estates it makes them a more obvious target than in established areas,” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Smith said the burglary numbers were also high because Mernda and Doreen were geographically large suburbs.
“While the numbers are certainly higher than we would like, it still only averages out to one or two a day in these areas,’’ he said.
There is currently no 24-hour police station in Whittlesea, but Detective Senior Sergeant Smith said this did not influence the number of burglaries in the area, which were mainly opportunistic crimes at new homes.
He said residents could avoid burglaries by locking up their valuables and keeping property out of sight.
Mill Park’s Senior Sergeant Kim French said the high level of burglaries had a lot to do with the fact it was a growth area.
She said housing estates often had fewer people around, which made it easier for burglars.
“Often in those streets there’s one house occupied and the rest are vacant,” she said.
“So no one is there to see people taking things.”
RACV general manager of home services Peter Brindley said Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs had the highest burglary rates.
The RACV has made a promotional video to instruct residents on how to avoid burglaries.\
» To view the video, visit racv.com.au/security
