Breaking News
Break-ins on rise
Tuesday 8 April, 2008 12:01am
A MAJOR increase in break-ins in the Hills has resulted in more police patrols in the area.
Hills local area command crime manager Detective-Chief Insp Wayne Murray said four homes were broken into in Brampton Drive, Beaumont Hills, in a 24-hour period last week.
Jewellery, wallets, mobile phones and small electrical items were taken.
All four break-ins happened in the early hours of the morning while residents, including a 70-year-old, were asleep.
He said the incidents were the latest in a series of aggravated break-ins during the past few weeks in the area.
He said thieves seemed to be hitting homes that did not have outside sensor lights or side gates that were locked.
"People need to make themselves less at risk," he said.
Home security including movement-sensitive external lights, deadbolts on rear doors and security doors instead of flyscreens were recommended.
He said there had been several break-ins in previous weeks on the nearby Elizabeth Macarthur Estate, between Windsor and Old Windsor roads at Kellyville.
"We are seeing a pattern emerging," Det-Chief Insp Murray said.
He urged people not to leave valuables, car keys, bags and wallets on kitchen benchtops and said anyone who saw people acting suspiciously should take down their licence plate number and call police on 9680 5399.
Police believe several men of Aboriginal appearance were involved in the latest thefts.
Streets in West Pennant Hills, Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills have also been hit recently, police said.
