By JONATHON HOWARD
AN INCREASE in vehicle and property theft across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa has prompted Noosa police to urge all motorists to “lock it or lose it” – as the battle to reduce theft starts with prevention.
Queensland Police statistics revealed that September saw the highest number of recorded thefts of any month this year.
There were about 500 reported thefts during September including cases of vehicle and property theft in Noosa.
Noosa police will soon be carrying out random car checks in parking lots in known theft hotspots, to see whether vehicles are locked and secured.
A failure to lock up could land the vehicle owner with a warning or a $45 fine, for failing to lock up.
Noosa police crime reduction officer Constable Tara Nolan said vehicle owners were obligated to ensure they were locking their vehicles and were not leaving valuables in their cars, especially in plain sight.
“Thieves are looking for items such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices left in clear view,” she said.
“The best way to discourage this behaviour is to ensure your personal items are not in plain sight and you are taking all the precautions.”
She said some motorists were even leaving a spare set of keys in the glove box of their vehicle, and they were shocked when their car was stolen.
“We’re also reminding people to secure items such as surfboards which can be left on roof racks and which have been targeted,” she said.
Noosa police also offers a locker service at the Hastings Street Police Beat for a small fee, or items should be stored in the car boot or any lockable compartment.
“Police will always take these types of offences seriously and fully investigate them, but by ensuring some basic precautions it can save car owners a lot of distress,” Constable Nolan said.
Anyone with information which could assist Noosa police with theft or other crime- related matters can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24 hours a day.
To speak with a local Noosa police officer (non-emergency) phone the station on: (07) 5440 8111
In an emergency situation, phone triple-zero.
