THERE are eight break-in hot spots in Orange but most of these happen because people forget to lock doors, not because it has been broken down.
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That is the message from Canobolas Locksmiths owner Ian Stapleton and police agree.
“It’s really rare you see a door kicked in ... mostly it’s just people go to bed and they forget to lock the back door and they just let themselves in,” Mr Stapleton said.
According to the Bureau Of Crime Statistics and Research Orange residents are more likely to get broken into in eight hot spot areas of town that include areas bordered by Clinton Street and Anson Street and Dalton Street and Margaret Street then an area bordered by Honeyman Drive, Blackmans Swamp Creek and across to Tarawell Crescent.
Other areas include Bletchington Street to Icely Road and McLachlan Street to Spring Street, a large area in Glenroi from Blowes Road to Glenroi Avenue and patches near Franklin Road and Yulanta Place.
But police warn residents to be vigilant regardless of location and say commonly victims of theft were so, because they forgot to lock up.
“It’s common that they steal from motor vehicles because people haven’t locked them ... and in the summer months when people leave windows open, that’s common,” Detective Inspector Glenn Griffith urged people not to leave valuables visible in cars and not to leave “big ticket” items in unlocked garages.
MAP: Where are the hot spots for break-ins in Orange?
“You drive around in north Orange and often see houses without front fences, a big house with a big garage and the roller door is left open,” he said.
“People then go in and access the house through the internal garage door.”
An NRMA spokesperson said it does not penalise people for accidentally leaving doors unlocked.
“Home alarm systems are one of the most effective ways to deter potential thieves as they draw attention to the thief and can help limit the time they have on your property. NRMA Insurance offers premium reductions off our home and contents insurance policies for homes with approved alarms installed,” the spokesperson said.
In the 12 months to September there were 416 break-ins of homes and 120 of businesses, Bathurst had 337 homes that were broken into and 149 businesses.
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au