Mt Waverley resident Mube Akinci-Desem contacted the Monash Weekly after having her car broken into twice in three months.

She said she no longer parked at the centre.

"I can't leave my car there any more.

"I get my husband to drop me and my father off.

"In the dark it's not safe. I actually wait near the door for my husband to pick me up."

The first time, thieves broke a window and took her handbag; on the second occasion, they smashed another three windows.

Mrs Akinci-Desem said others had also had their cars targeted.

"I made a point after my first and second break-ins, for about six or seven days, to ask every night, 'What is happening?'

"Every night there was at least one, sometimes two, three or four break-ins at the centre."

Detective Sergeant David Brodie of the Oakleigh crime investigation unit said he had not noticed an increase in car break-ins in the area.

"From our statistics, we're actually down instead of up," he said.

He said pool users should make sure valuables were not left in view in the car.

"Put them in the glove box or the boot, out of sight, out of mind.

"A lot of people are opportunists - what they see is what they take."

"If thieves come there and they are unsuccessful in getting stuff, they'll move on and target another car park."

Mrs Akinci-Desem said the council should install security cameras in the car park.

"If it's the security of property and persons, there's so many people here.

"The elderly and the young use that pool. It's a busy place.

"I'm sure the council can find money with all the rates we pay."

Mayor Charlotte Baines said the council was working

with police to minimise theft from the council's aquatic venues.

"Monash Council is consulting with surveillance companies and continues to work in collaboration with local police."