Theft from Shepparton vehicles targeted during Operation Secure.

Operation Secure was launched on Monday, September 28, to target the increase in offences, with a purpose-built CCTV trailer deployed in town to deter offenders or catch them in the act.

Shepparton Volume Crime Response Team’s Detective Acting Sergeant Jacob Sinclair said the vehicles targeted by thieves were often unlocked and parked in public areas.

“Operation Secure is running from Monday until next Friday in response to an increase in theft from motor vehicles in the Shepparton area, mainly from public car parks,” he said.

“We have utilised resources from the Transit Safety Division to assist with mobile CCTV cameras to put in our crime hot-spots as well as patrols of uniform and plain-clothed police throughout the operation.”

The latest data, released by the Crime Statics Agency last week, shows 738 thefts from vehicles in Greater Shepparton in the 12 months to the end of June, compared to 576 the previous year — a staggering 28 per cent increase.

The portable CCTV trailer will be parked at the Shepparton Railway Station during the next two weeks to combat this increase in offending.