With nine of the 10 suspected burglars whose names and faces were published on Monday still at large, Superintendent Darren Franks said the campaign was a response to a “considerable increase” in crime in the region during the past two years.

“Burglaries are up by 115 since last year [and] in the last two years we’ve had a little over 1000 houses broken into – that’s 1000 victims, which I’m not comfortable with and neither should the community be,” he said.

While Superintendent Franks said there were various factors driving the increase – including mental health issues, alcohol and drug addictions and some offenders who were “just plain greedy” –  methamphetamine was often a factor.

“Without a doubt ice has been a fair scourge, not just for the metropolitan areas but definitely for the rural cities,” he said. 

“However one thing we do nowadays is not just arrest, charge and process to go to court, we also make sure that we link in with other services so that we can give them referrals to help them with addictions if that’s the case and then hopefully prevent further offending.”

Superintendent Franks said while the most common items targeted by burglars were cash and electrical items, the effect on victims extended much further than the simple loss of property.

“Every day police members attend house burglaries and other sorts of crime and what is consistent, particularly around residential burglaries, is how upset the occupants are that their privacy’s been invaded – somebody’s come into their room, rifled through their personal belongings and that is the most upsetting [thing],” he said.

“At the worst end of the scale what we find is that some people really struggle to deal with it and they end up moving out of that house.”

To make a report, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.