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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter December 2003, Area LTB1 Bridle Estate. (NHW79)

Home Security When on Holidays, Security While Camping,Theft From Cars, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 3rd December 2003 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Area Coordinators Carmen Cook 5134 1920, Val. Bartholomeusz 5133 9685.

Next Meeting

When: Monday 15th of December 2003.

Time: 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

The December meeting will be our last meeting for this year. You are all invited to come along, bring a plate of food to share for supper after the meeting and spend a pleasant time with your friends and neighbours.

Precautions For Home Security When On Holidays:

• ·Cancel newspaper deliveries. Arrange for a friend or trusted neighbour to collect "junk mail" and any other deliveries such as local newspapers which may be made in your absence.
• ·Consider asking the Post Office to hold your mail during lengthy absences, or if you have a good neighbour you may prefer to ask them to collect and hold your mail.
• ·Use timing switches for lights and radios to create the appearance that someone is home.
• ·Lock away garden tools, ladders or any other implements which could help somebody to break into your home.
• ·Have someone mow your lawn and keep your house exterior tidy. Trim shrubs growing near the house, if they are overgrown they could provide a hiding place.
• ·Don’t leave spare keys hidden in the house.
• ·Let relatives and trusted neighbours know where you are going and for how long you will be absent. Always leave a contact address and phone number.
• ·Keep blinds and curtains open. Make the house look lived in. Ask a neighbour if they could park their car in the driveway occasionally.
• ·If possible leave a house key with a relative or friend who live nearby, or a trusted neighbour.
• ·Most important obtain an "Absence from Residence" form from the Police Station, or Zone Leader, fill it in and leave it at the Police Station.

Security While Camping:

Camping grounds and caravan parks are a thieves delight. Fishing rods, wet suits, scuba gear and other equipment around the tent or caravan are an invitation for theft. Small outboards are at risk if not secured, even boats on trailers have been known to disappear. If your equipment cannot be secured, put it out of sight if possible.

Theft From Cars:

There has been a 30% increase in the theft of mobile phones, all have been stolen from parked cars, these phones are unlikely to be recovered. Personal property, wallets and clothing left on seats or the dash board are an invitation to opportunistic thieves. Mobiles are also frequently left in restaurants and taxis.

If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, You can prevent it being used by anyone else.Your mobile phone has a serial number known as an International Mobile Equipment

Identity (IMEI) number. To check your mobile phones IMEI serial number key in the following digits on your phone *#06#, a 15 digit or more code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset, record it and keep it safe.

Should your phone get stolen, phone your service provider, and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset, so even if the thief changes the sim card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won’t get your phone back, but whoever stole it can’t use it or sell it.

Phones can also be marked with your driver’s licence number with an engraver or ultra-violet pen.

Police Crime Report for November 2003 N.B.W. Area LTB1 Bridle Estate

Due To Privacy Considerations NOT ALL Offences For This Area Are Listed

• 1/11/2003 Bridle Road Forced entry and theft at a milk bar.
• 2/11/2003 Bridle Road Property damage to the school.
• 3/11/2003 Kurt Street Theft from a house.
• 12/11/2003 Peter Street Burglary at a shed.
• 16/11/2003 The Avenue Theft from the front garden of a house.
• 19/11/2003 Airlie Bank Road Theft from a motor vehicle parked in the driveway.
• 20/11/2003 Bridle Road Property damage to a house.
• 28/11/2003 Nindoo Drive Property damage in the front garden of a house.

Summary Of Stolen Items

3 Electrical Appliances, 4 Cigarettes, 4 Clothing, 1 Food, 1 Personal Property, 8 Tools,

1 Sporting Goods, 1 Other.

Three Offenders Were Processed For Any Reported Offence In The Area.

The Christmas period is often a time of increased criminal activity, residents are asked to be especially vigilant during this time. Report any unusual or suspicious activity to the police immediately by dialling 000, no matter how trivial the incident may seem.

A Big Thank You to our Office Bearers and Zone Leaders who worked diligently throughout the year to enable our Neighbourhood watch Area to continue.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au