Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local NewsLatrobe Crime Watch News Letter Latrobe Police Service Area February 2013Coming Events, Hot Spots, Neighbourhood Watch Safer Communities Group Reports, Quad Bike Safety, Protecting Your Property. Latrobe Crime Watch NewsLatrobe Police Service AreaNeighbourhood Watch Creating Safer CommunitiesFebruary 2013IMPORTANT NUMBERSEmergency 000, Mobiles 112, State the service you want ¡V Police, Ambulance or Fire.Police: Boolarra 5169 6222, Churchill 5122 1790, Moe 5127 2222, Morwell 5131 5000Traralgon 5174 0900Crime Stoppers1800 333 000Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities Unit ¡V Latrobe PSA, L/S/C brett.godden@police.vic.gov.au Facebook: Senior Constable Brett
Child Protection 13 12 78, Consumer Affairs 5116 5701, Dept Primary Industry 136186. Dispute Settlement Centre 1800 658 528,
Nurse on Call 1300 606 024, Poisons Information 13 11 26,
VicRoads 131170 COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTSWednesday 20th February - Churchill District and Community Association Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm Sat 2nd March ¡V Rotary Playground Celebration - Morwell Town Common ¡V Police/NHW Display 10 am Monday 4th March - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - - Moe RSL ¡V Albert Street, Moe ¡V 7pm Tuesday 5th March - Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Wednesday 6th March - Morwell Town Meeting ¡V Morwell RSL ¡V Wednesday 13th March - HOT SPOTS ¡V POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC¡¦S HELPTHEFT OF FIRE FIGHTING TRAILER FROM RURAL CHURCHILL PROPERTYOn Friday 8th February 2013 the victim purchased a fire fighting Rapid Spray trailer. The victim left the trailer at the side of a garage on his rural property Mackeys Road Churchill in clear view from the road. On Sunday the 10th February 2013 the victim sighted the trailer at 9.15 a.m and when he returned at 12 noon the trailer was gone. The trailer tank was full with 1000 litres of water. In addition to the trailer, there is a steel toolbox fixed to the front of the trailer. It is valued at $10,000. At about 11 a.m. on the day the trailer was stolen, a male attended at the house on the property from where the trailer was stolen. This male is a person of interest for this incident and police would like to speak to him. This person is described as male, wearing a cap, glasses, green vest and long dark hair to his shoulders. Police urge anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5049 or Senior Constable Atkinson at Churchill Police on 5122 1790. PROTECTING YOUR RURAL PROPERTY FROMTHEFT FROM FARMS AND COUNTRY SHEDSTimes have been tough enough for the man on the land in recent years. With so much to cope with, it is easy to forget something minor like locking your shed. That¡¦s what happened to me, and it cost me thousands of dollars¡¦ worth of equipment. I¡¦ve learned my lesson. It is pretty hard to stop determined thieves but your chances are a lot better if you make life as difficult as possible for them,¡¨ said a farmer from the Western District. Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police are concerned about the volume of equipment, from sophisticated tractors to rolls of fencing wire, being stolen from farms. Farms are often relatively easy targets for thieves. The end result is increased insurance, security and law enforcement costs which we all have to bear. There is a lot people living on isolated properties can do to protect themselves from thieves: „h Be alert and secure your property „h Remove keys from machinery „h Lock doors of machinery cabs „h Use lockable fuel caps „h Store large farm equipment in secure sheds or highly visible areas „h Store valuable equipment in a secure building out of sight, behind a locked door „h Return broken down machinery to the shed „h Use high security padlocks and lock outbuildings when you are not using them „h Consider building a lockable metal cage inside a building for tool storage „h Install outdoor security lights where you have valuable equipment If you become aware of any information about individuals who have engaged in theft from farms and other country properties, contact your local police or Crime Stoppers. The smallest piece of information could lead to a criminal charge and a safer environment for you and your family. Police urge anyone who may have information related to any farming or livestock theft incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5000. JANUARY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTSCHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORTPREVIOUS ISSUES: There were no December or January meetings. ROBBERY - 1 for January (Nil December) - One offender charged with robbery during January. ASSAULTS - 6 for January (6 December) - In all incidents except one an offender has been charged. Police are waiting to interview a suspect in relation to another assault. ARSON - 1 for January (Nil December) - On 8th January unknown offenders lit a small grass fire in Phillip Pde. The fire was lit around 5.00pm. Police are making follow up enquiries. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 10 for January (8 December) - Five offenders charged. One offender faces three counts as a result of three separate incidents whilst one person has been cautioned in relation to damage on 5th January. A vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in BURGLARY - 3 for January (6 December) - A rural garage in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for January (1 December) - Overnight 14th January unknown offenders smashed a window of the victim¡¦s vehicle allowing entry to push the vehicle along Ikara Way. Once they moved the vehicle they stripped four mag wheels, a boot lock, bonnet, battery, radiator, radio, speakers, jack and wheel brace from the vehicle. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for January (1 December) - Both vehicles stolen during January have been recovered. THEFT - 3 for January (2 December) - On 14th January a small amplifier was stolen from the ground floor of the Leisure Centre. A trailer was stolen from the front yard of a residence in Walker Pde overnight 18th January whilst a kneeboard was stolen from a campsite at the pondage on 26th January. This is the second kneeboard to be stolen recently. ISSUES RAISED FEBRUARY: Nil issues notified.
MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORTPREVIOUS ISSUES: There were no December or January meetings. ROBBERY - 2 for January (Nil December) - Both incidents are recorded as attempted robberies with both victims threatened with physical violence. On 18th January a female was threatened by two males demanding money which was not handed over. On 22nd January two males demanded cigarettes from a male who refused. He was assaulted before retaliating causing the offenders to run from the scene. ASSAULT - 15 for January (29 December) - Twelve offenders charged. Police are following up suspects in relation to an assault on Princes Fwy on 24th January whilst another is being sought in relation to an assault in ARSON - 3 for January (5 December) - All three incidents are deemed criminal damage by fire. On 1st January two youths are suspected of setting a bench alight in Dinwoodie Reserve. A vague description has been given of the youths but not enough for police to identify possible offenders. Elizabeth St Primary had two small fires lit on 13th and 16th December. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 37 for January (32 December) - Four offenders charged. 18 of the damages are either residential or vehicle windows being smashed by rocks or other implements with no attempt to enter the premises or vehicle. One of the damages involved a rock being thrown at a passing vehicle on the Princes Fwy on 9th January. BURGLARY - 10 for January (13 December) - Burglaries were evenly spread between residential and retail premises. The Moe United Soccer Club was targeted twice in a couple of days. Overnight 10th unknown offenders broke a window on the club rooms whilst on 13th January they used the same broken window to gain access and ransacked the rooms. THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 8 for January (11 Dec) - All except two occurred in residential streets or driveways. Six of the eight were either unlocked, had windows left down or were open canopies on utes. One incident involved two unlocked vehicles in a driveway with keys left in the ignition of one vehicle. The victim is probably very lucky not to have had the vehicle stolen. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for January (4 December) THEFT (OTHER) - 16 for January (12 December) - One offender charged. A number of the thefts relate to victims leaving the items behind or in places and walking away. Police remind the community that although there is the offence of theft by finding it is the responsibility of owners to be aware of where their property is at all times. ISSUES RAISED FEBRUARY: Scams sent through the mail ¡V Discussion on avoiding becoming a victim. Condition of Ollerton Reserve ¡V Letter sent to MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORTPREVIOUS ISSUES: There were no December or January meetings. ROBBERY - 3 for January (Nil December) - One offender charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of robbery. On 19th January two offenders entered a shop in ASSAULT - 29 for January (32 December) - In all incidents an offender or offenders have been charged with some facing multiple charges. Police are following up suspects in relation to an affray in ARSON - 7 for January (4 December) - Two of the incidents relate to small grass fires in PROPERTY DAMAGE - 19 for January (33 December) - Eleven offenders charged. Apart from a window being damaged at the Top Pub, all other damages were in residential areas with letterboxes and windows being damaged. BURGLARY - 15 for January (27 December) - Three offenders charged with one facing two counts. Five of the burglaries were on residential sheds/garages which had been left unlocked or open with power tools or chainsaws the main items stolen. Alcohol was also stolen in two incidents. THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 3 for Jan (11 Dec) - All the thefts from motor vehicles involved the syphoning of fuel from vehicles in driveways. One incident was in THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for January (5 December) ¡V All three motor vehicles are still outstanding. They are: FR617 a 2007 Suzuki DRZ40E motorcycle yellow/blue in colour stolen from Winston Crt 4th January, 2013. XIM424 a 2003 Mitsubishi Sedan red in colour stolen from YEH671 a 2011 Holden Sedan silver in colour stolen from Keat Crt on 26th January, 2013. THEFT - 13 for January (11 December) - Two offenders charged. A purse was stolen from a handbag which had been left for a short time on a seat. Police remind the community that leaving bags behind or open in trolleys gives opportunistic thieves a walk up start to steal the items and then use the credit cards contained in them. ISSUES RAISED FEBRUARY: Graffiti and recidivist offenders ¡V Strategies discussed ¡V March or April newsletter to be dedicated to this ongoing Latrobe wide issue.
TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORTPREVIOUS ISSUES: There were no December or January meetings. ROBBERY - 2 for January (2 December) - One offender charged. Police are investigating an incident in ASSAULT - 32 for January (29 Dec) ¡V Twenty-eight offenders charged. Police are following up suspects in relation to four other incidents. Two incidents in ARSON - 4 for Jan (1 Dec) - Police are making follow up enquiries in relation to three of the fire incidents. A stolen vehicle was set alight on PROPERTY DAMAGE - 25 for January (26 December) - Six offenders charged. Two vehicles in BURGLARY - 16 for January (32 December) - Four offenders charged with two facing two counts each. Overnight 5th January unknown offenders entered a residential shed stealing a number of power tools and a trailer. Evidence suggests that the trailer was used to transport the items from the address in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 15 for January (20 December) - One offender charged. Eight of the thefts were committed in residential driveways or outside addresses with four of the vehicles left unlocked. CD players, coins, iPods, an esky with a wallet inside and a bag containing clothing were amongst the items stolen. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for January (4 December) - Two offenders charged with attempted theft of motor vehicle. Two of the vehicles have been recovered with one burnt out. The only outstanding vehicle is a Honda CRF150 motorcycle stolen from THEFT - 24 for January (11 December) - Three offenders charged. Rods and reels were stolen from a boat on the front lawn of a property in ISSUES RAISED FEBRUARY: Tax Office scam received - Discussion re scams/phone calls targeting the Valley at the moment.
BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORTASSAULTS - Nil for January (2 December) PROPERTY DAMAGE - Nil for January (1 December) BURGLARY - Nil for January (2 December) THEFT - 1 for January (2 December) - Overnight 26th January a wood splitter was stolen from a vacant block in Limonite Rd. Evidence suggests that the splitter was dragged to a trailer before leaving the area. YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT PREVIOUS ISSUES: There was no January meetings. ASSAULT - 1 for January (2 December) - One offender charged with three counts of make threats to kill as a result of an incident in January. ARSON - Nil for January (1 December) PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for January (2 December) - One offender charged with criminal damage whilst police are following up three suspects in relation to damage to a vehicle in Quarry Rd on 12th January. BURGLARY - Nil for January (3 December) THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - Nil for January (1 December) THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for January (1 December) ISSUES RAISED FEBRUARY: Security Issues ¡V general discussion about household and personal security to prevent theft.
PROTECT YOUR LIVESTOCK and REPORT FARM CRIMEMany farmers fail to report livestock theft because they do not think police can do much about a relatively small scale report. But that one report might provide the final piece of information needed for an investigating officer to solve and complete a livestock investigation and charge a thief. In 2011 Victoria Police created the Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group to support and improve investigations into stolen livestock and other farm crimes. Police from across the state, who already had knowledge and experience in livestock and farm crime, received additional training so they could lead investigations and be a local point of contact for farmers. 44 Agricultural liaison Officers (AGLO¡¦s) were appointed to rural areas to enhance investigations into farm crime, assist other police and to liaise with farmers and farm organisations such as the Department of Primary Industries and the Victorian Farmers Federation. Victoria Police estimate the value of stolen livestock in Victoria Police encourages farmers to protect themselves from stock loss by tagging their livestock and not leaving this until the day before a major sale. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is You can read more about the Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group and Victoria Police¡¦s AGLO¡¦s in Anthony Loncaric¡¦s report ¡§Taking Stock¡¨ in the Spring 2012 Edition of Victoria Police¡¦s ¡§Police Life¡¨ magazine. Just follow this link http://issuu.com/policelife/docs/policelife_spring_2012 or type Police Life Magazine into your search engine. REMEMBER, NO MATTER HOW SMALL YOUR LOSS, ALWAYS REPORT LIVESTOCK THEFT.
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS ¡V INVENTORY YOUR PROPERTYNeighbourhood Watch recommends you make an itemised inventory of all your valuable household and personal items. Where possible include a model, serial number, colour, distinctive marks and approximate value. Consider inscribing your licence number on large, valuable and sturdy items such as the television, computer, DVD player etc. You can even engrave your child¡¦s bicycle but make sure you place the letter ¡¥V¡¦ (for You can download a copy of our inventory at: http://www.nhw.com.au/Eastern-Region/Latrobe/Forms
LOCAL LAWS - FENCES TO CONTAIN LIVESTOCKFencing requirements for livestock is one area covered by Under this clause, the owner or occupier of land used for the grazing of livestock must ensure that fencing on that land is adequate for the purpose of preventing livestock from straying onto any adjacent road. Local Laws Officers may serve a Notice to Comply on the owner or occupier of the land requiring him or her to install, repair, replace or modify fencing and gates to prevent the livestock on the property from straying onto any adjacent road. Failure to comply with the Notice to Comply can result in a penalty of $500. Clause 63 prohibits the grazing of livestock on roads within the Municipality without a permit and this also carries a penalty of $500. Livestock close to roads can be a serious distraction and danger for the drivers of vehicles and we also need to take into account the welfare of the animal. Similarly, under clause 55 owners must not drive livestock along any road more than twice in any one calendar year without a Local Livestock Permit issued by the Council. Clause 64 reminds the community of the power given to Local Laws Officers under the Livestock Act 1994 to impound livestock or secure the livestock in a place offering safe custody where cattle are found grazing on roadsides. Any cattle found on any road within the Municipal District can be impounded: (a) unless the livestock are enclosed by an electric fence or are in the effective control of some person; (b) which the Council has resolved is not available for driving or grazing of livestock; or (c) after dusk and before dawn; or (d) where the Council has given neither Permit nor exemption allowing those cattle on that road. In January alone this year, Local Laws Officers have responded to more than 40 incidents of livestock straying from their paddocks onto adjacent land or onto roadways. These unsafe situations can lead to the injury or death of both people and animals. Owners of livestock are encouraged to contact administration at Local Laws on 1300 367 700 so their contact details can be added to Local Laws¡¦ Livestock Contact List. This will enable officers to contact owners in the event they are called to respond to animals located outside their boundaries. Landowners and the owners of livestock in
SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMSIt is not unusual for rural burglaries to involve the theft of firearms. As we a doing a rural edition it is timely to remind firearm owners of their responsibilities and the legal requirements for the safe storage of firearms. Gun safes such as that pictured are the most secure option. SCHEDULE 4 in the Firearms Act 1996 sets out the storage requirements for longarms as follows; Longarm licences for category A and B longarms (1) The firearm must be stored in a receptacle- (a) which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily penetrable; and (b) which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and (c) which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock of sturdy construction. (2) If more than 15 firearms are stored on the premises where the firearm is stored, the premises must be fitted with an intruder alarm system. (3) Any cartridge ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a locked container separate from the receptacle in which the firearm must be stored. To further secure your firearms you could consider building a lockable metal cage inside a farm building for firearm and tool storage and consider installing external security lights.
QUAD BIKE SAFETY ¡V DON¡¦T BECOME A STATISTICPolice in Latrobe would like to encourage all users of quad bikes to be vigilant and ride within their limitations. Many quad bike accidents occur in remote areas, often without anyone else present. This makes the potential for serious injury or death very high. Quad bikes continue to increase in popularity as they are useful machines for farmers in tending to crops and livestock. They are quick and efficient. However, they are also extremely dangerous when not used prudently and within safety guidelines. They are also a significant cause of death and injury on farms with approximately 10 people dying in quad bike incidents on Australian farms every year. All quad bike users are encouraged to download or obtain a copy of the Work Safe publication ¡§A Handbook for Workplaces ¡V Quad Bikes on Farms¡¨. It emphasises quad bikes are not all-terrain vehicles. They are not stable, robust machines with ¡¥go-anywhere¡¦ capabilities. The Work Safe handbook is for farmers, their family members, employees and contractors. It is full of quad bike information including legal and occupational health and safety requirements and includes a number of checklists to assist farmers and farm managers identify and control risks when using quad bikes. WorkSafe¡¦s ¡§A Handbook for Workplaces ¡V Quad Bikes on Farms¡¨ can be downloaded at http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/9830aa804071f518a442fee1fb554c40/wsv1128WEBsmall.pdf?MOD=AJPERES HOT SPOTS ¡V POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC¡¦S HELPBURGLARY AND THEFT FROM SHED AT JEERALANG JUNCTION PROPERTYSometime between 9 p.m. on Monday 7th and 10 a.m. on Wednesday the 9th of January a rural shed in Property stolen included a red and black Honda lawn mower; an orange and black Stihl brush cutter; a red and black Honda brush cutter; a white gas cylinder; a green Jackaroo camp stove; a Coleman tent; a black and grey Webber camp stove; a food processor, money box full of coins, service medals, jewellery box containing bracelets, earrings and rings and a Mongoose BMX bicycle. Police urge anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring Detective Senior Constable Ferguson at Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5049. Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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