Property crime, Far North District
The Far North District’s dedicated team of officers attached to the Cairns Property Crime Squad have so far in 2017 charged 431 people on 2,460 property related charges.
In a three-month period from July 1 to October 5, some 167 people were charged with a total of 777 property related offences.
Officer-in-Charge of the Cairns Property Crime Squad, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Barry Karamujic said the Squad had achieved significate results so far this year.
“A lot of property crime is opportunistic with thieve breaking into unlocked cars, or entering house through unlocked doors. So far in 2017 we estimate we’ve recovered approximately $100,000 in property items, excluding the exorbitant value of motor vehicles that have been stolen.
“We like you live in this community with our own children, families and friends so we are working continuously to ensure those committing offences are located and prosecuted.
“Offenders are telling us on a regular basis that they are trying door handles on cars and at homes until they find something unlocked.
“The same is said for high fences around homes. If they find a gate they can open from the front, they walk into the yard, and try patio and laundry doors to gain access into homes whilst you sleep.
“We are working very hard to ensure that you, your families and ours are all safe.”
Some simple things families can do to help prevent becoming a victim of crime include:
- Use security screens already in place, key lock those doors/windows and remove the key from the lock.
- Get into a habit of locking doors and windows throughout the day and night, even when you are home.
- Lock and secure vehicles which are left parked in the driveway or on the street. Remove valuables from the vehicles or hide them out of sight.
- Avoid leaving items like handbags, phones, wallets, money, remote controls to your home and spare keys to the house or car inside the vehicle.
- Avoid leaving your handbag, wallet, phone and keys on the kitchen bench or table, coffee table, on a hook in the garage/kitchen/hallway in plain view or on a bedside table.
- Hide your keys, or carry them in your pocket.
- Protect your car keys like cash.
- Get into a habit of checking all doors and windows are closed and locked before you go to bed at night.
- Never leave a sliding door partially open to allow the pets to come and go as they please – offenders use this point of entry also.
For more information about property security:
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/cscp/propertySecurity
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Cairns Crime Alert
