Secure property to stop thefts
COMPLACENT home-owners are being targeted by opportunistic thieves stealing car keys and other items in a worrying trend across Toowoomba.
Schools have been targeted in the past week with four campuses broken into and damage done with offenders still at large.
Four cars were rifled through overnight on Wednesday with items reported stolen, prompting a police appeal for property owners to securely lock all premises.
Gabbinbar, Rangeville and Glenvale state schools, as well as the Toowoomba State High School campus, were broken into across five days last week.
Darling Downs Acting Superintendent Stephen Angus said simple steps could ward off sneak thieves.
“We have had a number of schools broken into,” he said.
“What we would like to encourage is our members of the community to contact Crime Stoppers if you see persons on school property or school grounds acting suspiciously.”
Cars were targeted in Newtown and Harristown overnight Wednesday, with the vehicles reportedly left unlocked and valuables kept within sight of opportunistic thieves.
Acting Supt. Angus said lack of security was a major contributing factor to the offences.
“What we are seeing continually is a lack of security with both houses and dwellings, and also motor vehicles,” he said.
“Quite simply, people are not lacking their houses.
“In a lot of instances, houses are being left unlocked and unsecured, and the same with motor vehicles.
“It’s a very easy and soft target. Make sure the car is locked, remove valuables, and put keys away.”
Phone Crime Stoppers on
1800 333 000.