By JESSE GRAHAM
POLICE are asking visitors to Ferntree Gully’s 1000 Steps to change their tactics and not leave valuables in their cars, after two cars were broken into earlier this month.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Melanie Woods said that visitors to the 1000 Steps should not leave valuables in their cars, even if they were well-hidden.
She said that thieves had been breaking into cars with valuables in them, with two reported in the week leading up to Friday 15 April.
“Old school preventative methods don’t appear to be working as well anymore,” Det Sgt Woods said.
“Obviously, the offenders are now aware that if anything seems to be hidden … they’re going to try and gain access to see.”
Det Sgt Woods said that cars were often broken into at the 1000 Steps, due to thieves’ ability to “remain fairly concealed” around the car park, and easy ways for them to escape.
The Mail reported in March that there had been a “substantial” rise in thefts from motor vehicles, according to Yarra Ranges Inspector Peter Wheeler.
Inspector Wheeler said that groups of young people would try the handles of cars at night, including those parked in driveways.
“They are often successful, too; taking wallets, mobile phones and even laptop computers,” he said.
“The broader community needs to be self-aware, not to keep valuables inside their vehicle.
“The message doesn’t seem to be getting through.”
The latest release of crime statistics, which tracks crimes in the Yarra Ranges over the last 12 months, notes that thefts from motor vehicles had fallen 12.2 per cent, from 655 incidents to 575.
