As I write this column, I have finished a busy shift which included recovering three stolen cars. Thank you to the members of the public for noticing the tell-tale signs of a stolen vehicle, and reporting them to us. They will be examined forensically to assist with finding the thieves. As per my previous columns, please keep being vigilant around suspicious behaviour. If you hear cars doing burnouts especially overnight in the weekend, it may be car thieves in stolen cars – both situations need a phone call to 111 at the time the offending is happening.
Senior Constable Deb Hann – On the Beat
In addition to the stolen cars, I also had two incidents where cars had their windows damaged while parked roadside. If you don’t have a car alarm or immobiliser, invest in a steering lock and always park your car in well-lit areas when not in a garage or another secure fenced area. As always, consider installing CCTV at home.
I have been asked to mention student safety when going to and from school, both in town and rurally. It is good to have a conversation with your children, so they are aware of what to do should they find themselves in any situation that makes them feel uneasy or threatened, for example being followed or hassled by others.
If they have a mobile phone, do they know to call a parent or trusted adult for help immediately? Suggest they change their path, crossing the road or speeding up to catch up to friends if possible, walking into a nearby shop or friend’s house where adults are present and they feel safe. It is important that they tell an adult straight away what has happened, so police can be informed for follow-up. It is better to front-foot this in the unlikely event that it occurs.
Finally, we have had a couple of potted plant thefts reported this week. If you see anyone carrying outdoor potted plants away from an address, or have CCTV that might be relevant, let us know. If you have also been the victim of such crime, ensure you report it.
