Get lived-in look

By Melissa Grant
POLICE are urging residents to make their houses appear occupied when they go on vacation this summer.
Burglars raided 310 homes in the Cardinia Shire during the 2007/08 financial year and Victoria Police statistics show the holiday period is a popular time for break-ins.
There were 29 residential burglaries recorded in the municipality last January and 32 in February.
Residential burglaries were about three times higher in neighbouring Casey, with 94 and 81 such thefts recorded in those months and 887 for the financial year. Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer of the Pakenham Police said residents often invited burglars into their homes by failing to keep their lawns trimmed and having mail stacked up in the letter box while on vacation.
“And they put bins out before they go which is like waving a red flag to the bull,” he said.
Detective Senior Constable Dave Mealia said some residents even left their doors and windows unlocked.
The most commonly stolen items from Cardinia households were electrical appliances and jewellery, he said.
Sen Sgt Teer said residents could notify police if they were going on vacation and urged them to consider starting their own neighbourhood watch program.
Sen Const Dave Mealia urged those living in rural areas to also lock their gates.
He also encouraged neighbours to look out for each other and call 000 immediately if they saw anything suspicious.
Sen Sgt Teer also said thefts at building sites in the municipality were on the rise and urged locals living in construction areas to stay vigilant.
“Anyone who sees any tradies at construction sites after hours should call 000,” he said.