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Latrobe Crimewatch Newsletter December 2011Christmas Message, Moe, Yallourn North, Churchill, Traralgon, Morwell Crime Reports, Protecting your Home, Email Scam. By Malcolm Lawrence - 28th January 2012 - Back to News Latrobe Crime Watch News
Latrobe Police Service Area
Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities
December 2011
IMPORTANT
NUMBERS
Emergency 000, Mobiles 112, State the service you want – Police, Ambulance or Fire.
Police: Boolarra 5169 6222, Churchill 5122 1790, Moe 5127 2222, Morwell 5131 5000
Traralgon 5174 0900
Crime Stoppers
1800 333 000
Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities
Unit – Latrobe PSA, L/S/C Brett Godden, 5131 5085, 0400 050 749.
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, Latrobe City 1300 367 700.
Nurse on Call 1300 606 024, Poisons Information 13 11 26,
VicRoads 131170
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
On behalf of police across the Latrobe Valley I would like to wish all members of the community a pleasant and safe Christmas and New Year. Please be patient on the roads to ensure there are no tragedies over the festive season.
Please enjoy yourselves over the holiday period and remember responsible drinking examples begin in the home. As adults and parents please encourage sensible drinking and set the example. Remind your children when they are with friends at our licensed premises to look after their mates, stop fights before they start and to stay off the street if intoxicated. Encourage them to appoint a designated driver, use a taxi or offer to pick them up at the end of the evening.
Mick West
Acting Superintendent Eastern Region
Division 5
HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELP
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ARSON ACTIVITY IN THE BUSH
If you record the details straight away the more accurate they are likely to be, and the more helpful the information will be to Police. Record descriptions of both suspect persons and vehicles.
Police urge anyone who may have information related to arson activities to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring 000 if the threat is immediate.
It’s that time of the year again when the sun beats down (if the rain ever stops) and a lot of us head off for a well-earned break with family and friends. It would be ideal if we could leave our homes and not have to worry about security. Unfortunately, it’s not Disneyland out there and we have to consider those who seek to take advantage of our absence by breaking in and helping themselves to our property.
Bushfire arson has a devastating impact on the community. It has the potential to injure or kill people, cause significant financial loss, and destroy property as well as the environment. Victoria Police, as part of Operation Firesetter, will be conducting highly visible patrols to prevent and apprehend arsonists. Investigations into suspicious fire activity and bushfire arson persons of interest will also be undertaken.
People who commit bushfire arson are not always strangers, they often live and work in local communities. If you believe a person, or vehicle, is behaving in a suspicious manner write down the details.
Secure Your Home While Away
With this in mind here are some tips to make your home as secure as possible whilst you are away;
- Fill in an "Absence from Residence" Form (attached to this newsletter) and drop it in at your local police station. Let them know when you return. Also notify trusted neighbours of your absence and ask them to report anything suspicious.
- Do not use Facebook or social/electronic media to broadcast to the world you are on holiday and away from your home. This extends to your children and includes not putting photos on the World Wide Web until you return from your holiday.
- Tell your neighbours who, if anyone, has a right to be on your property.
- Make your home look lived-in whilst you are away. How do you do this? Leave some washing hanging on the line and leave a pair of shoes by the doors, arrange for the junk mail to be emptied from your letter box or attach a ‘No Junk Mail’ sign.
- Ask your neighbours to park their car in your driveway.
- Ask your neighbours to put out and bring in the bins on rubbish day, even if they are empty.
- Ask a family member or friend to stay in the house for a couple of days.
- Arrange for the post office to hold or redirect your mail.
- If you have the newspaper delivered, don’t forget to cancel it or offer it to a neighbour.
- Secure the house making sure all windows and doors are locked.
- Check external doors and frames for weaknesses and replace if necessary.
- Remove keys from window locks and sliding doors.
- Add a lock to your internal manhole to deny entry through the roof.
- Install automatic timing devices for the lights, radio or TV so they turn on and off while you are away.
- When on holiday do not put your name and address on your keys as it is obvious you are away from home and arrangements can be made to burgle your home.
- If cars are left home, lock them and leave the keys with a trusted friend or neighbour.
- Engrave or mark valuable property with the letter ‘V ’followed by your driver’s licence number.
- Set your alarm system and put your valuables in a safe place.
- If you have a monitored electronic alarm system let the company know you are going away and give them contact details for key holders in case the alarm goes off.
- Install self-activating external lights.
As we approach the holiday period it is timely to remind the community that our younger citizens will again be hitting our roadsides and footpaths in large numbers, on foot and with new Christmas scooters, roller skates and bicycles. Travellers will be stopping at unexpected spots on the roadside. Our children will also be alighting from vehicles, both cars and buses, and numbers will be higher at train stations and at bus stops. Children will not be safely ensconced at school during office hours.
As adult motorists we must be aware that children can possess little or no road sense. They are unpredictable, can be difficult to see and act on impulse. Once they make up their minds where they want to be, they can be quick to act and run across the road.
Please take care and slow down when driving particularly in residential streets. Be aware that children may unexpectedly run out from behind buses or parked cars when they do not have a clear view of oncoming vehicles.
HOT SPOT - LATROBE VALLEY EMAIL SCAM - PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS HIJACKED
"I NEED URGENT HELP FROM YOU…(URGENT REPLY NEEDED PLEASE)"
Latrobe Valley residents are asked to be aware of the practice of criminals hijacking your email address and using it to encourage your personal email contacts to send you money. On the 6th of December the personal email address of a respected member of a local community organisation had her email address hijacked and an email asking for money was sent to all her email contacts.
The email stated the victim had undertaken a sad and urgent trip to Manchester, England and she had lost her wallet, mobile phone and valuables. It stated she could only access email for 15 minutes every two hours at a local library and she had closed bank accounts and credit cards and could not meet her own expenses. It then asked friends to assist with a loan of $3000 (£2000) with the guarantee the matter had been reported to our Embassy and assured repayment immediately upon return to Australia.
This email was well written but the English syntax was not conventional and flaws were spotted. Fortunately some of the victim’s friends recognised the scam, contacted her and she in turn warned her contacts, including members of Neighbourhood Watch.
Personal details including the victim’s name, post office box address, and very similar false telephone number and false email address were supplied. An immediate reply was requested with the promise of then providing details for the transfer of money.
THIS IS A SCAM. Neighbourhood Watch and Police advise you should first fully check the validity of any request for money or goods to avoid becoming a victim yourself. For more information on scams go to www.scamwatch.gov.au and you can report the scam to SCAMwatch at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/reportascam
MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES – Nil
CRIME REPORT
ROBBERY - 1 for November (2 Oct) - Two offenders charged.
ASSAULT - 24 for November (22 Oct) – 24 offenders charged. The offences range from unlawful assault to intentionally or recklessly causing injury through to assault police. Suspects are being sought by police in relation to four of the incidents. 13 of the incidents came to police notice as a result of family violence incidents.
ARSON - 3 for November (4 Oct) - All incidents were criminal damages by fire with police conducting investigations into a grass fire in a paddock in Crinigan Rd, three bins set alight in Rintoull St and a shed fire in Mc Millan St.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 30 for November (26 Oct) - Eleven offenders charged. A large number were committed on residential premises with windows damaged by thrown rocks. Overnight on the 19th November a number of residences in Bridle Rd had windows damaged by small white rocks.
BURGLARY - 22 for November (21 Oct) - Two offenders charged. The burglaries were evenly spread between residential premises and businesses with most entered via smashed or jemmied windows. Cash was the most common item stolen.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 41 for November (16 Oct) - One offender charged. There were five incidents where a single registration plate was stolen with another four incidents where both plates were stolen. The majority of theft of plates occurred in car parks.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 8 for November (16 Oct) - All vehicles stolen have been recovered except for a motorbike stolen from a Hyland St address on 11th November. The bike appears to have been wheeled out of the back yard of the residence and then pushed away.
THEFT - 25 for November (19 Oct) - Three offenders charged. There were three petrol thefts from service stations. All thefts were committed by offenders driving vehicles which had stolen plates attached. Games consoles featured prominently amongst items stolen from residential premises.
MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - Neighbourhood Watch sign has not been erected in High St - Brett to follow up with depot as to location sign was erected. Broken windows at old hospital site - A Fire Prevention Notice has been issued by Latrobe City in relation to the old hospital site. Enquiries are being made as to the owner of the property. Speed humps in Power Ave need repainting AND Crossing in Fowler St needs repainting - A pathways request has been raised with Latrobe City for both of these issues.
CRIME REPORT - Two offenders were charged with offences of a sexual nature.
ASSAULT - 15 for November (21 October) – Offenders charged for every incident. Offences ranged from Unlawful Assault to Reckless Conduct Endangering Life to Threats to Kill. Four will face charges of RCEL as a result of a pursuit. Eight of the incidents were as a result of family violence incidents.
ARSON - 2 for November (2 October) - Both were criminal damages by fire. Police came across an alight wheelie bin in Newark Ave and called the CFA. An ATCO hut at Baringa School was damaged and investigations are continuing into this incident.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 20 for November (26 October) - Three offenders charged. Businesses and residential premises were targeted with letterboxes the main items damaged at residential premises. Windows at business premises were the main targets.
BURGLARY - 7 for November (12 October) - Two offenders charged after a burglary at a residence in Moore St. All other burglaries were committed on residential premises or residential garages. A TV, Stereo equipment, a games console and a lawnmower were amongst the items stolen. Investigations reveal the offenders who stole the lawnmower were seen by a neighbour. Police remind the community that if they see something suspicious to report it to police immediately to 000.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 5 for November (12 October) - Four offenders charged and face numerous charges including robbery, theft, theft of motor vehicle and theft from motor vehicle. All vehicles entered were in the residential areas of town. Items stolen included a GPS unit from the centre console of an unlocked vehicle and a bag also from an unlocked vehicle.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for November (4 October) - The four offenders mentioned above were charged with TOMV which was later recovered in Bairnsdale. The other vehicle stolen was located and returned to the owner.
THEFT (OTHER) - 16 for November (7 Oct) - Eleven offenders charged. Three ladders were stolen from a premises in Hennessey St. Police believe that the ladders were carried from the premises and neighbours may have seen the persons involved.
Traralgon Meeting and Crime Report
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Unruly behaviour near Park lane Units - information to Traralgon Police for patrols. Advised re reporting.
ROBBERY - 1 for November (2 Oct) - Four offenders charged. This group charged with a series of offences across the Latrobe Valley and neighbouring areas. Offences include thefts, theft of and from motor vehicle and assaults.
ASSAULT - 28 for November (21 Oct) - 25 offenders charged. Suspects are being followed up in three other cases. 18 were as a result of family violence incidents.
ARSON - Nil for November (1 Oct)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 31 for November (37 Oct) - Four offenders charged. 14 of the damages occurred at residential addresses with windows broken. Four business premises in Seymour St also had windows or glass doors damaged.
BURGLARY - 30 for November (19 Oct) - One offender charged. A large number of the burglaries took place in residential areas with televisions the main item stolen. In a number a large amount of property was stolen and would have needed at least two offenders and a vehicle to remove the amount of items. Police remind the community that if they see suspicious activity around a residence to ring police on 000 immediately.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 24 for November (19 Oct) - All bar two of the 24 TFMV’s occurred in residential areas. 13 of the vehicles were left unlocked with five having the vehicle/house keys in the ignition or in the console. Garage remotes were also stolen meaning victims have to alter codes for garages. Three vehicles broken into in Oxley Court overnight on the 27th November whilst three were broken into in Laurence Grove during the month.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for November (3 Oct) - Two offenders charged with TOMV as well as burglary offences. Two of the vehicles have yet to be recovered.
THEFT - 21 for November (17 Oct - One offender charged. A series of theft of copper wire was committed at Loy Yang on Hyland Hwy on three separate occasions. Police ask the community to report any suspicious vehicles around the power stations.
CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT
ISSUES - Community Group Expo – Gaskin Park – Sunday 4th March, 2012
CRIME REPORT - ROBBERY - Nil for November (1 Oct)
ASSAULTS - 8 for November (11 Oct) - One offender will face four separate charges of assault offences whilst three other offenders will also face court after being charged with various assault offences. In the only incident where police have not charged someone they are following up a suspect.
ARSON - Nil for November (2 Oct)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 3 for November (11 Oct) - One offender charged with threats to destroy or damage property whilst police are following up a suspect in relation to damage to a vehicle during an assault. A vehicle was keyed in the University car park.
BURGLARY - 2 for November (1 Oct) - Both burglaries were committed in residential areas with an unlocked shed entered and alcohol and tools stolen. In the other incident offenders entered a house and stole a TV and games console.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for November (5 Oct) - Offenders entered an unlocked vehicle parked in a residential driveway and stole perfume from the centre console.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for November (3 Oct)
THEFT - Nil for November (2 Oct)
YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - Use of exhaust brakes within the town. –VicRoads – Please record dates and times this is occurring. There is no legislative provisions to enforce on motorists to prevent the use of auxiliary braking systems (engine or exhaust brakes). Will investigate the possibility of installing 'Trucks Avoid Using Engine Brakes' signs on Moe - Glengarry Road within the Yallourn North area and will advise re outcome. Third and High Streets are local roads for which the Latrobe City Council are responsible.
ASSAULT -1 for November (2 Oct) - Police are following up an offender in relation to an unlawful assault in Gooding St.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for Nov (2 Oct) - A glass panel on a door was damaged by unknown offenders and means in John St.
BURGLARY - 1 for Nov (Nil Oct) - On 26th November offenders forced entry to the shed at Yallourn North Football Club and stole garden tools and they also unsuccessfully attempted to enter the social rooms. The tools were later recovered.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 1 for November (2 Oct) - Overnight on the 21st November a number plate was removed from a vehicle in Anderson Ave. There was also an attempt to steal items from a locked tool box on the rear of a vehicle.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for November (Nil Oct)
THEFT (OTHER) - Nil for November (1 Oct)
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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