Murrumbidgee Police District are encouraging people to change their habits to make theft harder in the wake of a number of thefts around Griffith.
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District crime manager Detective Inspector Eugene Stek said thieves had a focus on car keys it allowed them to take vehicles to other locations.
"There has been a series of incidents which have occurred and some arrests have been made, and police are continuing to investigate these matters," Inspector Stek said.
Inspector Stek said there were links between some of the recent incidents but not all of them.
He said car keys were a particular focus for thieves as many modern cars often used coded keys which disarmed immobilsers.
"Unless it's an older car where people can hot wire them, but new cars generally have immobiliser which is why they need the key."
Inspector Stek said it was common for people to leave their keys on the kitchen bench, hanging near the door or even left in the ignition or the car.
"Put (keys) away in a draw, changing habits is important and it helps protect your property," he said.
Rural properties were often a target because of fuel supplies but also because keys were often left in utes and work vehicles.
"It's a common thing for people to leave cars with keys in them, but thieves know that too," he said.
Inspector Stek said diesel, power tools and even some farming chemicals and equipment had been among the items targeted by thieves around the district.
He said hundreds of litres of round-up had been taken in one instance, as had sprayers and other agricultural tools.
Closer to town people leaving their belongings in plain site in backseats or on the back of utes had also attracted the attention of opportunistic thieves.
Inspector Stek said sometimes a stolen item is worth less than the cost of replacing a broken car window which was why it was important to conceal items.
Anyone with information for police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Griffith police on 6969 4299.
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