Barwon Heads has been named in the top 10 areas of regional Victoria in which a home burglary will occur.
The postcode of 3227, which also incorporates Breamlea and Connewarre, was ranked 10th on the RACV’s list.
The RACV said areas with new housing estates were most likely to be targeted by thieves.
Consequently postcode 3217, containing Armstrong creek, Charlemont, Freshwater Creek, Mount Duneed, was ranked 7th.
Aggravated burglary rates are on the rise again, jumping another 11 per cent in the 12 months to June 2017, making an increase of 56 per cent in the past two years. They account for 11 per cent of total burglaries.
Most aggravated burglaries – 74 per cent – happened between 7pm and 6am, with the highest volumes between 11pm and midnight.
Bryce Prosser, RACV’s General Manager Public Policy and Corporate Affairs, says several factors make new housing estates across the state more attractive for burglars.
“We believe this could be because new homes include new appliances and often adjoin vacant blocks, which aid quick entry and exit. With many people at work during the day these newer suburbs are much easier targets.”
Corio, Norlane and North Shore came in at number 4 while Bareena, Geelong, Newtown and South Geelong was 8th on the list.