In short: Victoria Police says it has enough resources to address rising car thefts and home break-ins.  Officers urge residents to lock houses and say they can defend themselves in a home invasion but cannot use unreasonable force.  What’s next?  Some say the rising crime is a societal issue and there is a need for more youth engagement programs, while others believe tougher sentencing is needed for repeat offenders. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has sought to reassure residents the state government has provided police with significant additional resources to respond to an increase in crime.  “Victoria Police are not only providing great support and advice, they’ve also increased patrols in the local area and I know they’re having discussions with the community,” Ms Allan said.  “These are a smaller number of young people who are committing more crimes.” Police have told frightened residents at a public meeting in Bendigo that they had the right to defend their properties. It came in the wake of rising car thefts and home break-ins, where multiple cars were stolen from a Strathfieldsaye  housing estate last month , with residents capturing groups of young people on CCTV trying to open cars and front doors at night.  Strathfieldsaye residents voice their concern about recent car thefts. ( Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) One resident asked police if it was legal to attack someone breaking into their home. Senior Sergeant Rob Gibson said safety was paramount and a resident could be charged for using “unreasonable force”. “A man’s house is his castle. You have a right to defend it. Should you undertake a citizen’s arrest, you are bound by reasonable force no different to us as police officers. “You are entitled to use reasonable force, but that is not my message. Ring us. We are far better equipped to apprehend the offender than you will ever be.” Two residents told the that police officers have told them they did not have enough resources for widespread nightly patrols. Senior Sergeants Rob Gibson and Rod Davis say most offending is opportunistic and rarely confrontational. ( Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) But Senior Sergeant Rod Davis said Bendigo police had three crews available at all times.  “We need to try and put our resources in the areas where they are required, the best we can,” he said.  “I can’t reiterate enough, this is opportunistic offending. “We might get a group walk down the street and try every car door handle in that street. I bet you they find one that’s open and that’s the one they target.”  Crimes mostly ‘opportunistic’ Police said the rise in such crimes across Greater Bendigo was reflected across the country. “The problem is not limited to the estate, it’s not limited to Bendigo, it’s not limited to Victoria,” Senior Sergeant Rob Gibson told those gathered at the meeting. A Strathfieldsaye resident’s camera caught would-be thieves on camera. ( Supplied ) He said the majority of the crimes were opportunistic. “People with an open garage door, an unlocked front door, an unlocked rear door a car parked in your garage with the keys in it,” Senior Sergeant Gibson said.  “I like to promote a simple night-time routine for people: Check the front door. Check your garage.” Residents acknowledge ‘wider issue’  Strathfieldsaye residents Andrew and Judy Rimington, in reference to social media posts, believed locals should “take it down a notch”. Andrew and Judy Rimington acknowledge the crimes represent a wider societal issue. ( Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) “It’s a much wider issue that needs to be addressed,” Ms Rimington said.  “I don’t think police can do more than what they’re doing. “People are responsible for their own possessions. They need to protect it themselves. I don’t think it’s a job for the police. “I don’t think they can do any more than what they’re doing.”  Strathfieldsaye residents asked questions and shared ideas at the community meeting. ( Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) ‘People are on edge’ Big Hill resident Mike, whose real name has been withheld for privacy, said three cars were stolen from his street a week ago.  Big Hill is about 20 minutes away from Strathfieldsaye. “This is the type of neighbourhood where kids play cricket in the street and ride their bikes,” Mike said.  A group that looked like young people was also caught on security cameras this week, trying car doors.  “People are on edge. People are worried about their safety and security,” Mike said.  “They have gotten into the house while people are sleeping. That’s what worries people.”  Big Hill residents have asked Bendigo police to increase patrols, but residents like Mike believe police are not able to stop the attempted thefts because the offenders are under the age of 18.  “Police say they arrest them, they’re charged, then they’re bailed and back reoffending,” he said.  Mr Driscoll thinks there should be tougher consequences for young people who commit crimes. ( Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) At Thursday night’s community safety meeting, resident Scott Driscoll said there needed to be more serious consequences for young people caught stealing cars. “If the offender is repeating, that tells you all you need to know We need tougher sentencing laws for young people,” he said. “Whatever we’re doing, it isn’t working.”  In response to calls for tougher sentencing, Premier Jacinta Allan said a smaller number of young people were committing crimes but they were committing more crimes. “Dedicated youth police officers work with the young people in their family and community context,” she said. “When you work with them and provide a pathway away from the youth justice system, you provide the best results.  “We know we need to do more. We have already signalled there is further work to come to parliament over the coming year in terms of providing additional support to our youth justice system, and that’s work that is being undertaken right now.”  Calls for more youth support funding The Les Twentyman Foundation runs programs that put outreach youth workers in Melbourne schools. Youth support services are calling for more funding for programs to engage young people. ( : Alice Roberts ) Programs general manager Chris Lacey said regional areas needed similar programs. “In the schools we’re working in, there has been a 60 per cent reduction in absenteeism,” he said.  “It’s about $150,000 per school, which helps hundreds of young people. It costs half a million dollars to lock a young person in jail.” A Victorian government spokesperson said community safety would always be the government’s number one priority.  “Victoria Police is taking all necessary steps to disrupt and deter youth crime with a range of programs and youth crime specialists working in communities with young people and their families,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to give Victoria Police the resources they need and we thank them for their vital work to keep Victorians safe.” Central Vic ”local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Tuesday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Privacy Collection Statement . Email address Subscribe