Thieves stole 12 hot water systems from buildings under construction in Hillside in one night earlier this month.
Leading Senior Constable Matt Mudie said there had been a spate of thefts of hot water systems from Melton and Brimbank, but 12 were stolen “in one go” between Sunday, May 10, and Monday, May 11.
He said thieves stole the hot water systems either to reuse in other buildings or for scrap metal value.
Senior Constable Mudie said the systems stolen from Hillside houses were continuous, smaller-sized hot-water systems connected to gas lines, and could be quite dangerous to remove.
He encouraged builders to put in hot-water systems towards the final stages of construction and advised home owners to secure them to walls with security brackets, which would make access for thieves difficult.
“Any sort of preventative device like that is ideal so they can’t access the hot-water systems,” Senior Constable Mudie said.
The houses that are being targeted are mainly those under construction or ones that are vacant, according to police. All 12 houses targeted on May 11 were empty.
Police say fringe areas where many new developments are being built are “easier” targets for thieves.
“The theft is going to be pre-meditated to take that many, especially over one night,” Senior Constable Mudie said.
Another three hot water systems were stolen in separate incidents in Melton in May.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
