Cops urge community to lock your vehicles

A spate of steal from motor vehicle offences in recent months has prompted Camden police to issue an urgent reminder to the community to lock their vehicles.

Camden police are issuing a reminder to the community to lock their vehicles. Picture: Robert Pozo

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A spate of steal from motor vehicle offences in recent months has prompted Camden police to issue an urgent reminder to the community to lock their vehicles.

Camden PAC crime prevention officer Senior Constable Greg Louden said contractor utility vehicles had been frequently targeted across the Camden and Wollondilly areas.

“We have had a spate of contractors’ vehicles broken into over the past six months in the area,” he said.

“Camden PAC is urging the residents which have utes with tools in the back, to lock their vehicles and their toolboxes.”

Camden Police Area Command crime prevention officer Senior Constable Greg Louden urged residents to invest in strong security measures. Picture: Robert Pozo

Power tools are the items most commonly stolen, costing victims thousands of dollars to replace.

The warning from Camden Police comes less than a month after Campbelltown PAC issued a similar warning, revealing more than 50 per cent of its recent steal from motor vehicle offences had taken place on unlocked vehicles.

In April, at least three utes were broken and tools with an estimated value of $5000 stolen as its owners enjoyed the Camden Show.

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Senior Constable Louden said it was paramount for contractors to invest in strong security measures.

“We encourage residents to park your vehicle in a secure location, ideally where there are sensor lights and CCTV surveillance,” he said. “That toolbox is your livelihood.”

Police are proactively addressing the issue and are conducting regular patrols.

The maximum penalty if caught stealing from a motor vehicle is 10 years imprisonment.