A SPIKE in thefts from vehicles has prompted Warrnambool police to put the onus back on property owners.
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South-west police crime manager Senior Sergeant Mark Canavan said the statistics peaked in August but were now gradually decreasing.
"Prevention starts with the owner of the property not the police," he said.
"We did have a spike and the statistics are suffering from owners not locking their vehicles or leaving them unattended.
"The best way for those figures to drop is for owners to take better care of their property whether that's mobile phones or electronics from vehicles parked on streets or in driveways."
Warrnambool police Senior Sergeant Tania Barbary said there had been a number of thefts from vehicles in the past month involving tradesmen's tools. "Police are concerned we are beginning to see a pattern leading into the Christmas shopping period," she said.
"The message is clear - don't leave valuables accessible or in sight. Theft from vehicles is all about opportunity.
“Lock your vehicle, park in a secure location, that's the safest option,” she said.
Don't leave valuables accessible or in sight. Theft from vehicles is all about opportunity.
- Tania Barbary