By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA residents are being asked to stay vigilant over the festive trading season to prevent shoplifters from cashing in this Christmas.
Police Minister Jack Dempsey joined the Queensland Police Service and the National Retail Association to launch a campaign against Christmas crime this month.
“As the Christmas shopping season ramps up we’re reminding people to be vigilant of shoplifters in and around shopping centres,” Mr Dempsey said.
“The Newman LNP Government is working hard to make Queensland the safest place to live, work and raise a family and we don’t want hard-working business owners to be targeted this Christmas.
“The public should also take care to ensure their purchases are kept safe while shopping and I ask them to report any suspicious behaviour to police or shopping centre security.
“We’ve put more than 800 extra police on the beat and shoplifters will prosecuted if they try to ruin the Christmas of innocent families.”
National Retail Association chief executive officer Trevor Evans said retail crime, including shoplifting, costs Queensland $1.5 billion a year.
“This is the time of year when local businesses can really turn a profit and keep their business afloat by the sheer volume of sales,” Mr Evans said.
“Particularly for smaller, independent retailers, very few things are as heartbreaking as seeing your hard work and enterprise undermined by retail theft.
“Additional focus on security by retailers and some extra help from the public can really make a difference.
“We congratulate the State Government and the Queensland Police Service for focusing on this important issue at this critical time for businesses.”
District Chief Superintendent Brent Carter said officers will be patrolling shopping precincts throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
“There are some simple things shoppers and businesses can do to ensure they don’t become the victim of theft,” Mr Carter said.
“In car parks, keep valuables secured and out of sight and when in the shopping centre don’t leave your handbag unattended in a trolley.”
