Police Urge Ipswich Residents: “Don’t Gift Your Keys to Thieves”

With the school holidays and Christmas fast approaching, Ipswich Police are urging residents to prioritise vehicle security to avoid gifting opportunistic thieves an easy ride.

Senior Constable Shantelle Dowell emphasised the importance of good vehicle security practices during the Crime Watch segment on West Bremer Radio. “Keep your keys safe, out of sight, and always lock your doors and windows—both at home and in your car,” she advised.

To ensure maximum vehicle safety, Ipswich Police recommend the following measures:

• Park Smart: Choose well-lit, highly visible areas or secure off-street parking wherever possible.
• Garage Safety: When parking in a garage, lock both the vehicle and the garage, securing the remote.
• Avoid Labels: Don’t mark your keys with personal or vehicle details, such as your name or registration number.
• Install Security: Consider adding a car alarm, steering wheel lock, remote immobiliser, or a GPS tracker to your vehicle.
• Secure Plates and Accessories: Use anti-theft screws for number plates and secure roof racks, spare tyres, and fuel caps with lockable devices.

“Even if you’re only leaving your vehicle unattended for a minute, always lock it and remove keys from the ignition,” Constable Dowell urged. “And never hide spare keys in or on the vehicle. Thieves know all the common hiding spots.”

She also reminded residents to remove valuables from vehicles or ensure they are completely out of sight to deter break-ins.

For further crime prevention tips, visit police.qld.gov.au. Suspicious activity can be reported online at Crime Stoppers via crimestoppersqld.com.au.

“Make good vehicle security a daily habit,” Constable Dowell concluded. “Let’s not make it easy for thieves this festive season.”