House break ins are one of the most common crimes and can occur at any time of the day or night no matter how high up you are.
Townsville police are reminding all residents and visitors to the region to take steps to reduce the risk of your home being broken into and the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime or even a repeat victim of crime.
When it comes to high-rise residential buildings and apartments, security is essential.
Townsville Northern Patrol Group Inspector Jason Brosnan said criminals can easily climb drainpipes, parked vehicles and trees to reach balconies.
“Many high-rise break-ins occur through open or unlocked balcony doors,” Inspector Brosnan.
“Living several floors up doesn’t mean you can’t be targeted”.
“Installing appropriate lighting and ensuring external doors and screens to balconies are always locked when the unit is unoccupied or at night are great steps in reducing the risk of being broken into.
“Most break-ins are opportunistic, especially when there is evidence of quick and easy entry and unsecured valuables are visible.”
Tips for home security:
- Make it easy for an offender to be seen
- Make it difficult for an offender to gain entry, such as installing dead bolts.
- Ensure all windows and doors are locked in your home, garage and shed.
- Have your mail collected by a friend or neighbour while on holidays.
- Hide valuables from plain view including car keys.
- Identify valuables such as TV, electrical goods, CD’s, DVD’s, cameras, phones, jewellery, computers by engraving or microdot technology. Update records of identifying particulars with police.
- Consider using automatic timers on a light, TV or radio to switch on at night.
- Disconnect the power source to your garage.
- Take your vehicle keys with you.
As well as responding to crime when it happens, Queensland Police Service (QPS) works with communities to prevent crime and make Queensland safe.
For more information and tips on home and personal security, check out the following link – Safety and preventing crime | QPS
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au or call 131 444.
