Operation Lima Reduction, Taringa & Bardon

Officers from Indooroopilly and the Gap will be hitting the streets this week to remind residents that security starts at home following a series of break and enters in Taringa and Bardon.  Police will be increasing patrols in the night time using unmarked traffic vehicles and patrols cars.

Units and homes at Taringa and Bardon this month have been broken into, in particular accessing dwellings through open and unlocked doors and windows.  Two vehicles, a Volvo wagon and an Astra sedan were stolen from Taringa this week after thieves entered through an unlocked door and took the keys.

A Toyota Prado was stolen from Bardon on December 16 when thieves entered a dwelling without leaving signs of forced entry and stole spare keys.

Police will be intercepting vehicles and increasing presence during night time to disrupt the offenders’ patterns in Brisbane’s western suburbs and on main thoroughfares.

Acting Inspector Corey Allen Inner West Patrol Group said that opportunistic thieves are striking units and residences taking advantage of unlocked doors and windows. The recent hot weather may have contributed to residents leaving windows and doors open.

“It only takes a matter of minutes for thieves to sneak in, often whilst the residents are home asleep and steal wallets, car keys, handbags and other small expensive items.  The implications for the community are that the vehicles are then used in many other offences around Brisbane and often are driven dangerously.  One vehicle stolen from Taringa has been linked to break and enters at Northlakes and elsewhere.”

“We are hoping to educate people about the importance of securing their property to reduce their risk of falling victim to opportunistic thieves,” Acting Inspector Allen said.

There are a number of measures people can adopt to protect their property:

• Make locking external doors and windows a habit, even when you are in your premises or out in the yard. Those who occupy multi -residence dwellings should be aware that offenders can gain access by climbing balconies;

• Ensure any doors or windows left open for ventilation during the hot summer months have the necessary security devices fitted;

• Objectively view your premises and conduct a basic security survey. Identify vulnerable areas and increase security where necessary;
• Take an inventory for all items of value including electrical goods, recording their brand, colour, model and serial number;

• Photograph your valuables and size jewellery against a ruler or match box to assist in determining size;

• To deter thieves engrave or mark your property with a code made up of your initials, your date of birth as six digits and Q for Queensland. Police can record this code on their computer system to assist in property recovery;

• Install security sensor lights and fit appropriate locks especially to those doors or windows hidden from public view;

• Place items such as cash, wallets, laptops and mobile phones out of sight, as these are targeted, quick to remove and dispose of by offenders;

• Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – offenders often use garden equipment and wheelie bins to break into premises;

• Car owners should ensure their vehicle is always locked and secured, even at home, with any valuables such as GPS placed out of sight.

Additional information can be located at the Queensland Police Service web site at www.police.qld.gov.au, then look under ‘programs’ and ‘Community Safety and Crime Prevention’.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444.