Police across the western region are calling on their communities to help prevent opportunistic thefts, rather than be a victim of them.
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The NSW Police Force has this week launched the 'Lock it or Lose it' campaign, a crime prevention initiative focused on thefts that are occurring more often from unlocked and unsecured cars and homes.
Officer in Charge at Parkes Police Detective Chief Inspector Scott Rayner said police want to work with the Parkes and village communities to make it harder for opportunistic thieves and in turn, lessen the chances of becoming a victim of a crime.
"The focus of the campaign is to provide the community with a range of preventative measures to use which will make it more difficult for offenders to steal from your homes, storage sheds or vehicles," he said.
"The measures may seem obvious but are not always put in place which unfortunately makes it easier for the opportunistic thief.
"It is always preferable to prevent a crime rather than become a victim of one."
- READ MORE: Property thefts on the rise in East Parkes
As part of the campaign, NSW Police have suggested a number of security measures to help communities:
- Ensure premises are always locked and secure when absent, even for a short time.
- Install CCTV - CCTV cameras and recording equipment are a cost effective, preventative measure and powerful investigative tool.
- Keep a detailed and up-to-date property inventory. Be sure to record any serial numbers and/or identifying markers or unique characteristics of the property.
- Ensure trees and shrubs can't be used as hiding places, security lights cover main areas around premises, fences are sturdy and gates have keylocks.
- Sheds or external storage areas have keylocks and make sure your tools, gardening equipment, ladders are locked away.
- Secure your letter boxes and adopt safer methods of parcel delivery.
- Ensure vehicles are always locked, no items of value are left in vehicles (or are not visible if they must be), garage remotes are secured or removed from the vehicle.
- Stop car thefts before they happen - don't leave garage remotes in your car, try keeping it on your keyring instead so you can keep an eye on it at all times.
- Store car keys out of view from external doors and windows, and don't leave your keys in obvious places such as key hooks or in a bowl near the door.
- Keep an eye on your neighbour's house if they are away.
Your local officers can provide advice and assistance in the form of home and business security audits, in addition to the 'Lock it or Lose it' measures.
"Unfortunately there are people within each community who have no regard for people's property. Let's not make it easy for them to take your hard-earned belongings," Chief Inspector Rayner said.
For those who need to report a crime, call Parkes Police on 6862 9999 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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Christine Little
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
