Thieves take advantage of empty building sites in Covid

Quieter construction sites could be making it easier for thieves to break into unmanned properties, infuriating a family who fell victim to a $10,000 theft in western Sydney.

Thieves who stole $10,000 worth of goods, including airconditioners, from a family’s under-construction house near Parramatta have highlighted how unmanned or near-empty construction sites are becoming easier targets during the Covid lockdown.

Offenders trashed the Saab family’s under-construction home near Parramatta on August 6 when NSW was two days into the now-lifted construction ban, and stole kitchen cabinets, a $4000 airconditioning system, trees and plants from the dream home in progress.

“They absolutely obliterated the place,’’ Katherine Saab said.

“We were notified that people had been entering the property and helping themselves to our belongings.

“The place has been trashed and everything stolen.’’

The contents were not insured and no CCTV footage was canvassed.

Katherine Saab. Picture: Carolin Margi

The construction ban has lifted but work sites are not running to full capacity. Picture: iStock

When Mrs Saab went to report the incident to Parramatta police and request an exemption to travel beyond the 5km from her home to the construction site, the “response wasn’t satisfactory”.

“They weren’t interested in taking a report,’’ she said.

“They were more concerned about making sure I wore a mask upon entering.

“I’m absolutely infuriated that we are so consumed by this virus that the real criminals are being ignored.

“The devastation is further exaggerated by the financial loss we have already incurred — loss of rent, mortgage repayments, loss of wages. We’re crippled, the industry is crippled and the only thing we’re consumed by is the virus.’’

Mrs Saab did not file a report.

Parramatta police did not comment but said it was not aware of an increase of break and enters at construction sites.

Cumberland police command, which takes in the suburb where the theft occurred, said an increase in crimes at construction sites had not been reported.

“We haven’t seen a noticeable increase at all in those particular types of crimes,’’ Acting crime manager Glenn Morfoot said.

“If somebody has had a crime committed upon them, however small, you still need to report it. Things haven’t changed in that respect.

“As far as we’re concerned the priority is responding to crime. That hasn’t changed. Heaven forbid there is a perception out there that our focus is more on Covid compliance. That’s not the case.’’

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