AFTER the ACT was hit with increased aggravated burglaries last month, police are urging the community, especially the vulnerable community, to be vigilant when it comes to home safety.

Detective acting superintendent Mark Steel says a number of incidents saw offenders targeting vulnerable people, including the elderly.

In September, ACT Policing recorded a number of home aggravated burglaries, and last week two teenagers were put before the ACT Magistrates Court for aggravated burglaries in Duffy.

No further aggravated burglaries have been recorded since the arrests, but superintendent Steel says: “Offenders can enter through doors that are unlocked and windows that are left open so they can take items and get out before being noticed.”

“Of the burglaries ACT Policing is investigating, we have noticed offenders targeting homes to find keys to steal cars as well as property including wallets, cash phones, tablets and jewellery,” he says.

“However, the community can have confidence that our efforts to put offenders before the courts and investigate other reports has had an impact in reducing these incidents.”

Investigations into other recent aggravated home burglaries continue and ACT police has shared intelligence with NSW Police Force regarding several people suspected of being involved in home aggravated burglaries who may have travelled interstate.

From September 7-24 there were 30 commercial aggravated burglaries. A further 11 commercial burglaries have occurred from September 24 to today (October 7).

Anyone with information that could assist police in ongoing investigations into commercial and home burglaries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.