Fighting city crime needs all-in community approach

THE region's highest-ranking police officer has urged the community to step up to the plate in the fight against opportunistic crime.

CRIME: Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon. Picture: Kevin Farmer

THE region's highest-ranking police officer has urged the community to step up to the plate in the fight against opportunistic crime which has lead to a spike in offences across the district.

Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon, in acknowledging the increase in break and enter and unlawful use of motor vehicle offences, said the statistics needed to be put into perspective.

In a region with one of the highest "clear up” or solving rates, Assistant Commissioner Condon said police were doing what they could to charge those responsible with property theft, including motor vehicles.

But the community, which is the victim of the crimes the majority of which are opportunistic, needed to be vigilant.

"The reality is people are leaving their cars unlocked, houses unlocked, keys in cars and creating opportunities for crooks to steal,” he said.

"The community needs to work with us; it's not just our responsibility.”

He said offenders were known to police and had been identified through thorough investigations in response to call-outs and reports from residents.

But a solution to lowering the number of reported break-ins and unlawful use offences - or car thefts - was police working with the community in enacting proactive measures and making it difficult for thieves to strike.

Assistant Commissioner Condon also addressed the horror road toll in the region this year, urging people to take more care when driving.

Originally published as Fighting city crime needs all-in community approach