Ipswich police are encouraging residents to adopt a few simple daily habits to help protect their homes, vehicles and families, as opportunistic property crime continues to impact communities across the region.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s Crime Watch segment, Senior Constable Chantelle Dowell from the Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit said many offences such as break-ins, thefts and vehicle crime can be prevented through basic security measures.
Police are promoting a simple message for residents to remember: “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it Safe.”
Senior Constable Dowell said many property offences are opportunistic, with offenders often targeting homes and vehicles that are easy to access.
“Many property crimes, including break-ins and vehicle thefts, are opportunistic in nature,” she said.
“These offences can have a very real impact on our community and often escalate when stolen vehicles are used in further criminal activity.”
The first step, police say, is ensuring homes and vehicles are properly secured at all times.
Residents are being urged to lock doors, windows and garages, even when they are home or only leaving for a short period. Vehicles should also be locked whenever unattended, regardless of how briefly the owner plans to be away.
“Offenders look for easy targets,” Senior Constable Dowell said.
“Properties with unlocked doors, windows or garages are far more vulnerable.”
Police also recommend installing quality locks, including deadlocks and key-lock systems where possible, to make homes more difficult to access.
The second part of the crime prevention message focuses on keeping valuables out of sight.
Police say vehicle keys remain one of the most sought-after items during home break-ins, with many offenders targeting homes specifically to gain access to cars parked outside.
Residents are encouraged not to leave keys, wallets, handbags or other valuables in obvious locations such as kitchen benches, hall tables or near entry points.
“Many home break-ins occur because offenders are looking for vehicle keys,” Senior Constable Dowell said.
“Keeping keys out of sight can help reduce that risk.”
Motorists are also reminded never to leave spare keys inside their vehicles.
The third component of the campaign centres on community awareness and reporting suspicious behaviour.
Police are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and trust their instincts if something does not seem right.
Examples of suspicious activity include people checking doors or windows, entering private property without a legitimate reason, loitering around homes, or vehicles repeatedly driving slowly through residential streets.
Residents are also encouraged to keep an eye on neighbours’ properties and watch for package thefts or suspicious behaviour around recent deliveries.
Improving visibility around homes can also act as a deterrent to offenders. Police recommend trimming overgrown vegetation, ensuring entry points are well lit and maintaining clear sightlines around properties.
“Looking out for your neighbours and maintaining community awareness helps create safer streets for everyone,” Senior Constable Dowell said.
Importantly, police stress that personal safety should always come before protecting property.
If someone attempts to enter a home or vehicle, residents should not confront the offender.
Instead, they should move to a safe location and contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
“Confronting offenders can increase the risk of violence,” Senior Constable Dowell said.
“Your safety is what matters most. Let police handle the situation.”
Residents can report non-urgent incidents through Policelink on 131 444, while anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police hope the simple “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it Safe” message will help reduce opportunities for crime and encourage residents to take proactive steps to protect their property.
By combining good security habits with strong community awareness, Ipswich police say residents can play an important role in making neighbourhoods safer and reducing the opportunities available to would-be offenders.
0 Comments