THE number of homes broken into across Cowra, Hilltops and Parkes local government areas is declining, new data shows.
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During the past year, there were 194 break and enter dwelling crimes reported to police which represents a decline of 6.7 per cent on the 208 cases in the 12 months prior.
The data was revealed in the recently-released NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) report for the 12 months to September 2019.
Far more homes were broken into in Cowra than the other LGAs, with 95 incidents this year compared to 100 the year before.
This was followed by Parkes (53 incidents which was down from 54) and Hilltops (46 down from 54).
Data also shows the number of break and enter non-dwelling crimes that occurred.
Across the three LGAs, there were 92 reported incidents which is a significant 27.6 per cent decline on the 127 cases during the previous year.
Cowra again recorded the most incidents, but only just, with 34 reports to the police for this crime (down from 45 the year prior).
Parkes followed with 32 cases (down from 52) and Hilltops with 26 (down from 30).
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NSW Police's officer in charge of the Young Sector, Inspector Jacob Reeves, said he monitors property crime data and was in regular contact with detectives and the crime prevention team.
"We don't just view it as a property crime it has a serious impact on the victim and it's an invasion of their privacy and security in their home," he said.
We don't just view it as a property crime it has a serious impact on the victim and it's an invasion of their privacy and security in their home.
- NSW Police Inspector Jacob Reeves
Insp Reeves said police will use a number of tools following a report of a break and enter including canvassing neighbours, seeking witnesses, forensics and examination of a known offenders list.
He said home owners could take steps to help reduce the chance of a break and enter including removing or reducing the amount of vegetation at the front of your house.
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"If you see anyone that you haven't seen before contact police and a description is always helps us," Insp Reeves said.
He urged businesses to monitor their CCTV footage regularly.
"If you notice cars coming and going late at night and not doing anything on your CCTV contact police," he said.