However, police have continued to make good progress in cutting the number of motor vehicle thefts, thefts from motor vehicles, and break and enters at private dwellings.

The trends are indicated in the latest figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research for the 12 months to June this year.

Albury local area commander Supt Gary Commins said concerted police campaigns to encourage the public to lock their valuables out of sight when their vehicles were parked in public car parking had worked in cutting the number of incidents reported.

“Overall the figures are reasonably good,” Supt Commins said.

“Obviously, as the weather improves and the party atmosphere kicks in with young people celebrating things like the end of school, there may be incidents of assault and malicious damage.”

Supt Commins said police were concerned about the numbers of break and enters reported at commercial premises in recent months although in the past month those incidents had declined.

Across the Border, the Wodonga police service area has reported a 23.2 per cent increase in the number of thefts from motor vehicles and a 49.6 per cent increase in residential burglaries in the past 12 months.

However, acting Sen-Sgt Shane Martin said overall crime was down 5 per cent and crime against people was down.

“We need to stress the message that you shouldn’t leave things visible when your car is parked, such as Navmans, laptops, phones that will attract attention,” he said.

Sen-Sgt Martin also said, while household burglaries were on the rise, residents should be diligent about locking their homes, particularly when they were away.