Letters to residents: Lock it or it’s gone

Harristown hit by crime spike

HARRISTOWN residents have been hit by a spike in property crime and break-in offences, prompting a warning from police to secure their homes and vehicles.

Police have delivered information leaflets to letterboxes across the suburb in the past week, alerting residents to “an increase of break and enters into homes and vehicles”.

“This notice is to provide you with information about remembering to lock and secure your home and vehicles,” it read.

“Offences of break and enter and stealing can happen at any time of the day or night, even if you are home.

“Of all property related offences that occur in the Toowoomba police division, a significant proportion are break and enters of private homes and/or vehicles, or are stealing offences from homes or vehicles.

“Many of these offences are preventable and now is the time to take notice of what pre- cautionary measures you as a resident can take to help prevent this crime from happening to you.”

Police also revealed the most commonly stolen items, with money topping the list.

Handbags with purses or wallets holding credit cards and identification was second, followed by mobile phones, gaming consoles, digital cameras, laptops, jewellery and car keys rounding out the top eight.

As the Easter long weekend and school holiday period nears, police urge residents to ensure their homes are secure.

“The majority of stolen vehicles are over 10 years old and don’t have reliable security devices,” police said.

“Fitting a certified engine immobiliser offers the greatest protection of older cars.”

Police recommend residents always lock their homes and windows even if they are inside, and lock vehicles when they are unattended.

Valuable should be kept out of view and secure, and where possible, cars should be parked in garages or carports.