Police urge improved security

Senior Sergeant Erwin Hoffmann is urging Bundaberg residents to lock up their homes.

Mike Knott

BUNDABERG police are urging residents to lock their homes and vehicles as the number of break-ins in the region continues to rise.

Senior Sergeant Erwin Hoffmann said most of the incidents were due to owners not locking up properly.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of break and enters at residences where people have failed to take the most basic steps to secure their homes and vehicles,” he said.

“There are a lot of opportunist thieves who will find the house that is unlocked and go in. A lot of the time, if they find it locked, they will just move on.

“East Bundaberg and Millbank are certainly areas of concern, but this often changes.”

Sen Sgt Hoffmann said while break-ins could not be avoided completely, there were several ways to make homes and vehicles less attractive to potential thieves.

“People need to build several layers of security to protect their home,” he said.

Some of these include:

Engraving or micro-dotting property;

Locking windows, doors, garages and vehicles;

Installing security lights and

Trimming back big bushes at the front of homes, which hide thieves from

passers-by while breaking in.

Sen Sgt Hoffmann said property owners should also take several precautions when away from their home.

“The house will be less attractive to thieves if it has a lived-in look,” he said.

Home owners away on holidays should:

Have a neighbour or friend collect their mail;

Install light timers;

Make sure the grass is mown;

Make sure their bin is not left on the road; and

Invite a neighbour to park in their driveway.

Anyone who sees a person acting suspiciously can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or Bundaberg Police Station on 4153 9111.

Protect property

Bundaberg Police are holding a Protect Your Property day on March 27 from 9am until 1pm. There will be advice on home security, property engraving, and microdotting.