"No matter where you live - lock it up," is the message from local police.
Following the release of Baw Baw police services area crime statistics for the year to March 31 last week, acting inspector Glenn Parke said police were taking steps to reduce property crime and burglaries, but need help from the public.
The Crime Statistics Agency statistics showed criminal incidents in Baw Baw decreased by 4.5 per cent over the 12-month period but property and deception offences increased, recording 1289 incidents in total - compared to 1201 incidents in March 2022.
Driving the increase in property and deception offences were property damage, which increased from 247 to 269, burglaries (180, up from 169), and theft, which increased from 642 in the 12 months to March 2022, to 682 this year. Deception offences also increased.

The increased burglaries was attributed to the number of residential a