A worrying increase in home break-ins has crime prevention group Neighbourhood Watch Australasia sounding the alarm and calling for homeowners to be serious about improving the security standard of their homes.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics*, 2% of Australian households, or roughly 194,100 homes, experienced a break-in last financial year. This was up from 1.7% in the 2020-21 financial year.
In response, Neighbourhood Watch Australasia has launched the inaugural National Secure Your Home Day on September 23-24, urging Australians to take immediate action to better secure their homes.
With malicious property damage the most common crime in every state, an estimated 3.8 per cent of Australian households — or 374,400 homes — experienced damage. Motor vehicles (27%); external doors (23%); and exterior items such as walls, fences and letterboxes (25%) were most commonly damaged.
Property was stolen in around two-thirds of break-ins (65%) including personal items like handbags, jewellery or clothing (23%); outdoor or garden items (21%); and bicycles or sporting equipment (18%) the most common items taken.
“We want to help break the cycle and ensure homeowners take the necessary steps to be safer and feel more secure,” urged Maria Bennett Neighbourhood Watch Australasia CEO.
“The numbers don’t lie. We’re experiencing a concerning increase in home break-ins, and while it is not at the same level as before Covid we are on an upward trajectory. It’s time for Australians to act. Simple steps can make a world of difference to whether your home could be assessed as an easy target or not,” she said.
National Secure Your Home Day is part of a larger initiative driven by the organisation; called S.A.F.E – Safer Australia For Everyone, developed in partnership with the University of Queensland. Along with the national education day, Neighbourhood Watch Australasia is also hosting community information sessions in select high risk areas such as Toowoomba, Canberra and parts of Western Australia.
“We are piloting a program in these areas that involves training people in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). These security experts will then be able to work with the community, hosting free training sessions directly with homeowners to teach them how to better protect their homes.
“National Secure Your Home Day is not just about raising awareness; it’s about empowering Australians with practical tips and resources. Through education and community engagement, we can build safer and more resilient communities.”
Bernie Durkin Chair of Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, who also holds the position of Executive Manager in Community Engagement Division with the Western Australian Police said crime increasing was always inevitable.
“Contrary to popular belief, crime rates follow cyclical patterns,” he said. “The future of crime rates in the post-COVID era remains uncertain. While we have seen a steady increase in some categories, the pandemic brought us to historically low levels of crime, and it’s unclear whether we will return to pre-COVID rates anytime soon.”
Durkin said “Unfortunately prevention was often not high on families agendas until it was too late.
“Generally speaking, people often become proactive about crime prevention and home security only after they’ve become a victim. This reactive approach is something we aim to change.
“We live in a relatively safe environment where only a small percentage of individuals commit the majority of offenses. My advice for community members is to employ common sense in their daily lives — whether it’s while using public transport or securing their homes. Simple actions, like not leaving a bag visible in your car, can go a long way in deterring opportunistic crimes.”
Homeowners are encouraged to register at www.secureyourhomeday.com.au, and receive a free National Secure Your Home Day Kit, including a comprehensive Home Security Checklist that steps through every aspect of property security systematically.
“There are many simple and cost effective options for increasing home security, from making sure bins don’t allow someone access upper levels or windows, to installing outdoor sensor lighting or security cameras. There are 53 home security points to assess. We encourage everyone to look at where they can make changes to protect their homes – no matter how small the action taken to increase security is, it all makes a difference.”
The Home Security Checklist is available at National Secure Your Home Day, www.secureyourhomeday.com.au.
National Secure Your Home Day Easy Security Improvements
Secure Exterior Doors: Always lock them, even when you’re home and ensure external doors are strong with a solid core. Install Security Screens: For both doors and windows – these should not be able to be easily damaged or removed and should be able to be locked.
Smart Key Storage: Never hide spare keys under the doormat or in other obvious places
Visibility of Visitors: Ensure you can see who is at the door without having to open it.
Reinforce Sliding Doors: Place a wooden dowel in the tracks to prevent them from being opened easily.
Lock Windows: Always lock windows when you leave and consider installing security screens.
Hide Valuables: Keep personal items like keys, wallets, and phones out of sight and away from home entry points.
Install Security Cameras: Place them at key access points and use signage to deter criminals.
Maintain Outdoor Area: Trim shrubs and check your letterbox daily to avoid signs of an unoccupied home.
Know Your Neighbours: They are your closest allies in an emergency.
Comments Case Study
Joanna Mularczyk-gur, Coorparoo resident
A Coorparoo resident since 1977, Joanna has faced increasing security threats, including a stalker and multiple break-ins. Despite the challenges, Joanna has taken proactive steps to secure her home and regain her peace of mind.
“I’ve lived here since 1977, and it’s heartbreaking to see how things have changed. I had a stalker years ago, who came into my home a couple of times and also multiple break ins. Over the years, it’s just gotten incredibly worse,” Joanna recounts.
In 2020, Joanna faced a significant security breach. “I came home from work one day to find my french doors had been forced open and over $100,000 worth of jewellery gone. My neighbour rushed to helped me and they tried to come back later that night but they were disturbed.”
Joanna faced another break-in on Valentine’s Day 2022. “They had forced the front door open, which faces the street. They came back for seconds, targeting silver items this time. It’s like they knew these items had been replaced.
“The emotional impact of these events has been devastating. I didn’t sleep for six months. I don’t go out after dark now. There’s a huge level of distrust,” Joanna admits.
Joanna has since taken various security measures to protect her home. “I’ve installed new locks, fortified my front door, and even put rods in my sliding windows. I’ve also installed bulletproof perspex on my veranda, gates on my locks and a comprehensive security system.
“Security is not something you can take for granted, you need to do what you can to protect your yourself and your home.”
Key Facts:
State by State breakdowns
New South Wales
2020-2022
Break-ins
· 1.3 per cent of households (38,300) experienced a break-in. Of these, 71 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.3 per cent of households (39,900) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 45 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.4 per cent of households (11,400) experienced motor vehicle theft. Police say 84 per cent of these cases were reported
· 1.6 per cent of households (50,100) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, and just over half (51 per cent) of these cases were reported to the police
Property damage
· 3 per cent of households (92,100) experienced malicious property damage, of which 48 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.7 per cent of households (51,400) experienced other theft, of which 30 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Victoria
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 1.8 per cent of households (45,800) experienced a break-in, of which 75 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.4 per cent of households (36,000) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 42 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.5 per cent of households (12,000) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 96 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.8 per cent of households (70,900) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 58 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 3.9 per cent of households (97,200) experienced malicious property damage, of which 52 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.1 per cent of households (53,700) experienced other theft, of which 39 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Queensland
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 2.2 per cent of households (44,900) experienced a break-in, of which 62 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.8 per cent of households (55,500) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 44 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.7 per cent of households (14,100) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 90 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.2 per cent of households (43,100) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 60 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 4.0 per cent of households (80,200) experienced malicious property damage, of which 48 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.1 per cent of households (41,700) experienced other theft, of which 29 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
South Australia
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 1.8 per cent of households (13,100) experienced a break-in, of which 70 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.8 per cent of households (13,300) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 48 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.4 per cent of households (2,600) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 84 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.8 per cent of households (20,800) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 51 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 3.8 per cent of households (28,100) experienced malicious property damage, of which 48 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.2 per cent of households (15,900) experienced other theft, of which 38 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Western Australia
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 2.7 per cent (28,400) experienced a break-in, of which 76 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.7 per cent of households (28,300) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 43 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.7 per cent (7,100) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 91 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 3.9 per cent (40,400) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 43 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 6.1 per cent (63,400) experienced malicious property damage, of which 52 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 3.1 per cent (32,400) experienced other theft, of which 39 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Tasmania:
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 1.7 per cent (4,200) experienced a break-in, of which 68 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.7 per cent (4,000) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 40 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 0.7 per cent (1,600) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 94 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 1.6 per cent (3,900) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 53 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 3.4 per cent (8,100) experienced malicious property damage, of which 54 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.0 per cent (4,800) experienced other theft, of which 34 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Northern Territory
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 5.2 per cent (3,300) experienced a break-in, of which 70 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 5.7 per cent of households (3,600) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 53 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 1.5 per cent (1,000) experienced motor vehicle theft, of which 86 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 4.0 per cent (2,500) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 54 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 8.5 per cent (5,300) experienced malicious property damage, of which 59 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 3.2 per cent (2,000) experienced other theft, of which 48 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Australian Capital Territory
2020-2022:
Break-ins
· 2.4 per cent (4,200) experienced a break-in, of which 77 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.9 per cent (5,200) experienced an attempted break-in, of which 59 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Motor vehicle theft
· 3.0 per cent (5,400) experienced theft from a motor vehicle, of which 60 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
Property damage
· 5.5 per cent (9,800) experienced malicious property damage, of which 52 per cent reported the most recent incident to the police
· 2.3 per cent (4,100) experienced other theft
