Police are warning contractors and businesses to secure valuable tools after a spate of break-ins at the weekend.
Several thousand dollars worth of tools were taken in four burglaries - three of them in the south-western suburbs and one in Richmond. Police are not ruling out the possibility that some of the break-ins may be connected.
Detective Senior Sergeant Corrie Parnell says it is clear that tools and equipment are being deliberately targeted by thieves as construction activity increases around the region.
"We are continuing to see thefts and burglaries from residential and commercial building sites," he says. "And in these latest incidents burglars have targeted yards and workshops looking for tools and equipment.
"Our advice to any company withy valuable tools and equipment is to make sure they are not left in unattended yards and premises overnight and at weekends.
"Wherever possible - take the tools home with you or keep them in a secure, attended location."
In one incident offenders entered a secure warehouse at a concrete contracting company in Branston Street, Hornby, some time during the weekend.
They entered an unlocked vehicle parked inside the warehouse and stole several power tools including a concrete saw and grinder. Police say it is not known how the offenders gained access to the property.
A number of tools were also taken from a contracting company in McAlpine Street, Wigram, during the weekend.
Police believe the offenders entered a workshop at the rear of the premises by forcing open a rear entrance and an internal door.
In a third incident, a scrap metal yard on Blenheim Road was entered some time between midday Saturday and Monday morning, with the offenders possibly using a ladder to scale a perimeter fence.
Petrol containers, a tool box and items of scrap metal were taken from the yard.
Several thousand dollars worth of power tools were also taken from a container parked on the roadside in Richmond during the weekend. Police believe offenders removed two padlocks from the container, which belonged to a contracting firm working on street repairs.
Detective Senior Sergeant Parnell says although there is nothing definitive to link the incidents, the fact that three of them occurred within a few kilometres of each other and targeted similar items means Police cannot rule out the possibility of a connection.
"We continue to urge contractors and builders to be extra vigilant with their valuable equipment - whether on the building site or at their yards and lockups.
"As well as tools, we've seen vehicles and heavy equipment being targeted, so it is important that equipment is removed from the site, particularly at weekends. At a minimum, make sure keys are removed and vehicles locked."
Anyone with information about the weekend break-ins is asked to contact Police on (03) 3637400. Alternatively, to provide information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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