Police target burglary hotspots

Albany police have taken drastic measures to crack down on juvenile thieves by rostering more officers to patrol burglary hotspots.

Senior Sergeant Peter McLean has also taken aim at parents of juveniles contributing to an alarming rise in daytime burglaries in the past fortnight by not knowing the whereabouts of their children.

Sen. Sgt McLean said juveniles were responsible for 24 burglaries in the past 11 days.

The suburbs of McKail, Orana and Lockyer the hardest hit with nine burglaries committed on Monday and Tuesday.

Sen. Sgt McLean said juveniles were being allowed to roam the streets, forcing entry to locked homes, and said it was time parents took some responsibility.

He said homes were being “ransacked” for cash and expensive moveable items such as iPads and iPhones.

“It’s time for the parents of these kids to find out what they are doing,” he said.

“They might not know what their kids are doing.

“They will get caught up with eventually and their actions now as juveniles sets them up for adult life behind bars.”

Homes in Broughton, Turner and Whidby streets were targeted along with Chester Pass Road, Le Grande Avenue and Flemington Street.

Sen. Sgt McLean said police were analysing data daily in a bid to reduce the rate of daytime burglaries.

He said most residents were locking their homes but offenders were still gaining entry and had been seen carrying concealed items.

“It’s of great concern the burglary rate at the moment,” Sen. Sgt McLean said.

“McKail has only been targeted in the past six months, while Orana and Lockyer have always been on our radar.

“It’s going to be very disconcerting for people when they try and get to sleep every time they hear a noise.”

Sen. Sgt McLean said the offenders had no concerns about the effect their actions had on victims of crime.