The nuisance of petty crime has begun to affect Cessnock residents more than usual in the past week, with a string of shoe thefts and other robberies across the city.
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Multiple reports of missing footwear have been posted on social media in recent days, among other instances of more valuable items being stolen in the area.
Several thefts have been reported at South Cessnock, Aberdare, North Cessnock and East Cessnock properties.
One victim posted on Facebook that she had four pairs of shoes stolen from outside the front door of her home – including her daughter’s brand new pair of Asics trainers.
At this stage, it’s unclear whether the incidents are linked or whether there are multiple bandits working neighbourhoods across the city.
While the idea of a shoe bandit targeting footwear on front doorsteps of homes could sound comical, the wider range of recent thefts could be indicative of a broader problem in the city.
This is especially apparent when you consider the more brazen attempted robberies that have taken place in recent days, particularly when vehicles have been targeted.
East Cessnock resident Emma-Lee Lewis told The Advertiser that two people tried to hot-wire a car in her yard on Monday night.
The only thing that stood in their way was the car’s flat battery.
In another instance, a resident told of how the licence plates were taken from her car in broad daylight while it was sitting in the Cessnock Ex-services Club car park last Wednesday.
The latest crime data shows that instances of theft from motor vehicles in the Cessnock area had risen by 84 cases between April, 2014, and March, 2015 – up to 553 reports.
The number of thefts from dwellings dropped only slightly during this period, by nine reports, and remained relatively stable.
Residents should not have to put up with the threat of their belongings being stolen.
People should be able to leave a car in front of their home overnight, or kick off their shoes at the front door, without wondering whether they’ll be gone the next day.
Ultimately, being vigilant is the best thing the community can do to overcome problems like this. That involves reporting these matters to police.
Anyone with any information about the recent thefts in the Cessnock area should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.