April Newsletter (NHW60)

Security Tips, Car Theft, Police Band Concert, LTB1 crime Statistics for March.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 4th April 2002 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Inc. No. A0037920V You are in Zone _______

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

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

Next Meeting

When: Monday the 15^th of April 2002.

Time: 7.15pm to 8.30pm,

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

Security Tips:

The longer a bin is left on your nature strip, the more of a target your house will become. The bin tells the thief that the occupants are not home all day and sometimes not until well after dark. Get your neighbour, relative or friend to take your rubbish bin in for you, the earlier the better.

A full or overflowing mailbox tells any potential thief that no one is home. A couple of days "casing the joint" and all is set for a possible break in. Get those same neighbours, relatives or friends to collect your mail.

Thanks:

Josie Koch has now relinquished her position as zone leader for zone 4. We thank her for her time given to Neighbourhood Watch in our area over many years.

Car Theft:

Many car thefts take place in the aftermath of a house burglary. The criminal finds the car keys in the house and steals the car from the premises, or takes the keys and steals the car at a later date. Unfortunately the car is sometimes recovered burnt out. Always take your car keys with you when going out, or place them in a safe place. It is not a good idea to leave any keys lying around.

A car that is over ten years old is at greater risk of theft because it will not have any anti-theft devices fitted, and there is market for the parts and body panels which are now becoming scarce. Some of these cars are stolen to order and will be stripped of anything of value before being dumped.

The Hyundai Excel is the most common car stolen at present. This car has no engine immobiliser and can be stolen easily. The owners of these cars should have them fitted with immobilisers without undue delay. To have your car stolen can be a very traumatic experience, resulting in considerable financial loss.

The owner of a car that carries comprehensive insurance when stolen and not recovered, will be $1200.00 out of pocket, by the time the insurance company has paid out and a replacement car purchased.

There has been an increase in theft from cars mainly cash, mobile phones and anything of value in the glove box. Thieves are becoming more daring and are stealing from cars in driveways and carports. On one occasion a theft occurred from a car in the back yard.

Police Crime Statistics for March, 2002. NHW Area LTB1 Bridle Estate

Police Band Concert:

The Police Band Concert will be held on 12^th of June from 7.30pm to 10.30pm at Kernot Hall. Light refreshments will be available. The entertainment will be provided by the Police Show Band and The Police Highland Pipe Band. Tickets are $6.00 each and can now be obtained from your Zone Leader or Carmen. This is a really great concert.

Due to privacy considerations NOT ALL offences for this area are listed

6/2/02 The Avenue Theft from a house.
6/3/02 Chestnut Avenue Resident charged with handling stolen goods.
7/3/02 Wyung Drive Theft from a motor vehicle, entry gained by a smashed window.
7/3/02 Park Avenue Theft from a motor vehicle.
7/3/02 Park Avenue Theft from a motor vehicle parked in driveway, window smashed.
11/3/02 Spring Court Property damage to a home unit.
13/3/02 Gabo Way Theft from a motor vehicle parked in driveway.
13/3/02 Nindoo Drive Property Damage.
13/3/02 Nindoo Drive Motor vehicle stolen.
14/3/02 Chestnut Avenue Theft from a motor vehicle parked in the driveway.
14/3/02 Bridle Road Motor vehicle stolen.
14/3/02 Bridle Road Property damage.
15/3/02 Chestnut Avenue Motor vehicle stolen.
15/3/02 Chestnut Avenue Property damage to a house.
31/3/02 Laurel Street Property damage.
Summary of stolen items for the above offences
1 car accessories, 12 personal property, 3 motor vehicles stolen, 5 theft from a motor vehicle,
10 Offenders processed for the above offences.

In the past month three cars have been stolen, and the theft of personal property occurred from five other cars. Three cars were entered without force. These crimes occurred late at night. Always lock your car and remove anything of value, never leave articles on view. Park your car as far off the road as you can. Preferably in a garage or behind locked gates. If this is not possible leave an outside light on, to light up the area where the car is parked.

Source: http://nhw.gippsland.com/

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au