Cardinia’s unlikely state burglary hotspot

Tynong residents are the most likely to experience a burglary in Victoria.

By Rowan Forster

The tiny town of Tynong has notched the dubious title of being Victoria’s burglary hotspot, a new RACV analysis has revealed.

One-in-17 homes in the postcode of 3813 are being ransacked by thieves, making it the state’s most likely neighbourhood to experience a home invasion – relative to population.

According to the statistics, the burglary rate in Tynong and Tynong North is more than four times Victoria’s average.

With a combined population of approximately 950, the figures suggest that about 55 homes in the area have been burgled in the past year.

It comes just months after the Australian Taxation Office declared Tynong was Victoria’s ninth-highest earning suburb.

While Tynong General Store manager Krzysztof Beilecki was shocked by his township making the rich list, the harrowing crime rate would come as no surprise.Since taking over the business in 2002, Mr Beilecki has endured a series of frightening robberies.

“We have now been broken into six times,” he said.

“On many occasions they have stolen cash and cigarettes.

“One time, someone broke the front door and tripped the alarm, and I had to attend court as a victim of crime.”

He said it has been a constant struggle to keep his business secure from the crooks.

“Another time I was working at the office until about 4 in the morning when I heard a noise coming from the shop. When I went out I saw a robber in a balaclava grabbing money. He didn’t hear me behind him, so I said ‘welcome, welcome, welcome’ and I scared him off.

“Another robbery happened when my son Chris was here and there went another $1000.

“Such is the environment unfortunately.”

“One time, someone broke the front door and tripped the alarm, and I had to attend court as a victim of crime.”

The postcode encompassing Clyde and Clyde North also performed poorly in the RACV study, with a burglary rate of one-in-27 homes.

Due to being located between Pakenham and Bunyip, Tynong is not closely monitored or serviced by Victoria Police.

It would take police from Pakenham approximately 20 minutes to travel to Mr Beilecki’s store in the event of an emergency.

In 2017, Tynong had substantially less crime, with only one-in-121 homes burgled.

One local, after being told of the latest statistics, replied: “That’s a shocking increase.”

“We don’t hear about this crime happening, it must be being kept under wraps,” she added.

In Pakenham’s postcode, one-in-85 homes were burgled.

Officer proved to be more exposed, with one-in-52 coming under siege.