Police warn Ballina residents on home security
Following a recent spate of break, enter and steal offences within the Ballina area, Crime Manager Detective Sergeant Jason Evers is urging all residents to target-harden their premises.
The majority of the residential offences have been committed by offenders entering through unlocked doors and windows, with a number of these premises being occupied by residents at the time of the offenders physically ransacking the premises.
“Residents are encouraged to assist police with any information relating to the on-selling of the stolen property. Police believe there is an illegal market for the sale of such property. Someone must have information relating to the on-selling of all the valuable items,” Sergeant Evers said
“In the last four days, Ballina residents have reported more than 20 incidents of break enter and steal from both business and residential premises, where cash, Ipods, laptops, wallets and alcohol have been stolen.”
Police resources have been tasked to respond to these incidents, both overt and covert police.
Police believe someone may have information that could assist to apprehend the offenders.
Even in the warmer months, with a few simple tips, residents can target harden their premises, making them less vulnerable. This includes:
Consider the installation of security doors and windows or even a security alarm. Lock security doors and remove keys even when home. Many incidents occur whilst people are relaxing in their backyard, gardening, sitting in the kitchen, having left their front door open or unlocked
Installation of motion sensor security lights covering the front and rear access to your home
Secure garage doors with deadlocks, strong pad bolts or padlocks
Keep vegetation around the house trimmed as it can conceal the activities of offenders
Don’t leave keys or valuables on the kitchen table of other obvious place. Intruders entering by the back door can take your keys and steal your car or return to the house whilst you are away.
Police encourage property identification either by engraving or the marking with ultra-violet pen. They encourage residents to photograph valuables and keep the photos in a safe location as an identification tool if property is lost or stolen.
Workshops and farm sheds can be photographed with video cameras if the volume of items is too many to individually photograph.
Further suggested treatments can be obtained using the NSW Police Security Assessment folder, which is available through Crime Prevention Officer Senior Constable Michael Hogan at Lismore Police Station on 6626 0569 or 0428 395 408.
