In a frustrating situation for police, this week a number of properties have been broken into, after the front door was left unlocked.

Duty officer with Chifley Local Area Command, Inspector Gerard Powell, said it was vital people took basic security measures, like locking their front doors and securing their cars.

Inspector Powell said many of the reports in recent days were crimes of opportunity.

“What we find are some people will try either a front door or a car door and if it’s locked they just move on. By securing your property it makes it much harder for them [to steal anything].

“We’re not talking about sophisticated criminals, these are people who might be walking around in a group, if they try a door and it’s locked, they just keep going.

“But if the door isn’t locked, they will take what they can get their hands on.”

Inspector Powell said this was particularly the case with cars left unlocked. 

On the Chifley LAC Facebook page, police said they have had several break and enters where the offenders have gained entry simply by walking through the front door, and said “even one type of this offence was too many.”

On Facebook, police said “the residents have been at home sleeping and by the time they hear noises the offenders are running out the front door with whatever property they can grab, usually a wallet, handbag , laptop etc.”

Among the break and enters reported to police this week include an incident in Morrisset Street when at 2.30am Sunday morning  two males entered a property through an unlocked front door and helped themselves to a wallet.

In Seymour Street on Sunday between 1.30am and 6.50am an unknown offender entered through a window and rummaged through several rooms.

Police are also  investigating the theft of several firearms from a property at O'Connell over the weekend. CCTV cameras depict two individuals entering the farm shed around 3.30am on Sunday morning after forcing their way into the shed.

The property owners were away at the time.

Police are continuing their investigations into the break and enter. Anyone with information should contact police on  63328699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.