Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Police: no crime increase despite spate of stealing offences

Laura PondStirling Times

SCARBOROUGH Police Senior Sergeant Craig Wanstall says he understands locals’ frustration after a spate of car break-ins but offences have not increased.

Police received more than 25 reports of cars being broken into and valuables stolen over the weekend, with most occurring overnight on Saturday.

Reports showed four cars were targeted outside The Saint Hotel in Innaloo but police believe up to 12 were impacted.

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There were eight reports from Innaloo overall and four from Scarborough.

“Stealing from motor vehicles is an issue and they’re difficult to resolve,” he said.

“We’ve had a spike but overall over the year stealings have reduced.”

Items stolen include phones, cash, wallets, bags, laptops, sunglasses, power tools and a fridge taken from a trailer.

The Scarborough district recorded 3198 stealing offences in the last financial year, down from 3244 the previous year.

Stealing during July decreased by 8.2 per cent to 279 offences, compared to 304 in July 2018.

“We definitely have spikes, there will be spikes in offences every year,” Sgt Wanstall said.

“But you need to look at it over the year.”

Scarborough Police officer in charge Snr Sgt Craig Wanstall.
Camera IconScarborough Police officer in charge Snr Sgt Craig Wanstall. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey.

He said this type of crime was difficult to predict as offenders would often target specific areas and they were quick.

Sgt Wanstall advised people to remove items from their cars as offenders would use torches to look inside and usually smash windows for entry if they spotted anything.

Scarborough Police are on duty 24/7 and can in the least offer a presence if they receive a report so he urged residents to call when an offence or suspicious activity occurred instead of waiting until the morning.

Anyone with CCTV footage related to the weekend’s offences should contact Scarborough Police on 9441 6400.

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