Albury Wodonga tradies targeted by tool thieves as theft from cars skyrockets

Criminals are raiding tradies’ utes across Albury Wodonga, as latest data reveals theft – particularly from cars – is the region’s most common crime. But frustrated police say there are simple ways to stop thieves in their tracks.

Cassandra Glover

2 min read

October 1, 2020 - 3:00PM

The Albury Wodonga News

Stealing from cars is the most common type of theft in both Albury and Wodonga.

Albury Wodonga

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Criminals are targeting tradies’ utes across Albury and Wodonga in brazen raids, prompting police to urge tradies to lock up and make their tools harder to steal.

Latest crime statistics show theft is the most common crime in both Albury and Wodonga, with Albury recording 1304 offences last year, and Wodonga 1070 offences in the 12 months to June.

And theft from a motor vehicle was the most common type of theft for the region, with 739 offences in Albury and 286 in Wodonga in the past year.

A NSW police force spokeswoman said tradies’ vehicles are a prime target – especially trailers stocked up with expensive tools.

“Predominantly they appear to be targeting vehicles that are parked on the street and not secured either in a yard, driveway, carport, garage,” the spokeswoman said.

“Police recommend that where possible, always make sure your vehicle is locked and no valuables are left inside it, in particular where they can be easily seen from the outside.
“It’s recommended to park your vehicle off the street where it can be secured or if unable to do so, look at parking it under suitable street lighting.
“If you do have to leave valuables such as tools in your vehicle, it’s recommended that you engrave your drivers licence number onto them for identification purposes.”

The spokeswoman told The Albury Wodonga News that the Murray River Police District had compiled a pamphlet to hand out to tradesmen travelling through the border checkpoints.

“(The pamphlet) will offer advice around securing vehicles and tools,” she said.
“This proactive strategy ensures the community is well informed to take preventive action.”

Between 2017 and 2019, incidents of fraud had increased by 54.7 per cent in Albury, motor vehicle thefts had increased by 53.1 per cent, and break and enters had increased by 34 per cent.

Overall crime in Wodonga has increased by 15 per cent in the past year, with a total of 2460 offences committed in 2019 and 2830 in 2020.

Top five crimes, Albury, 2019:

1. Theft — 1304

2. Damage to property — 751

3. Fraud — 498

4. Break and enter — 438

5. Assault — 347

Top five crimes, Wodonga, year to June 2020:

1. Thefts- 1070

2. Damage to property 344

3. Assault 332

4. Break and enter 291