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Stifle the opportunity

 

I was pleased to see the official crime statistics showing a reduction in person crime in our response zone. I could tell you it’s within all the corporate targets etc, etc, but the reality is that crimes affect people directly. Crimes like assaults and robberies are always the most traumatic and therefore are the crimes that we have a real focus on reducing. Don’t get me wrong, we focus on reducing all crime but a reduction in these crimes is particularly pleasing and one that we will continue to focus on, particularly as we come up to the silly season. A lot of property crime such as theft and theft from motor cars are what we term as predominantly opportunistic crime. What that means is that, generally speaking, the crimes are not planned – they occur on a spur of the moment when an opportunity presents itself. Not many offenders actively go out thinking that they will break into a car – it’s more likely that they will be on their way somewhere (perhaps to commit another crime) and they see an opportunity. So, if the opportunity is taken away, then there is less chance that the crime will occur. To avoid being that victim, don’t leave anything on view in when you park your car and always have a grip on your handbag or phone. I have walked around car parks and past cars parked on the street and have seen coins in the centre console, handbags left on seats, computer bags left in footwells etc. Even if there is no computer in that bag or nothing of value to you in the handbag, you are still suggesting to the offender that it may be worthwhile breaking in to your vehicle. Even gym bags left in view are tempting because, whilst you know that it only contains your smelly gym gear, the offender is wondering if there is a wallet or a phone etc in the bag. It’s the same when you’re sitting at a cafe or somewhere public – don’t leave your phone on the edge of the table as it is just too tempting for someone walking by to grab it. Handbags at the side of your chair are the same. Is seems so obvious to me but we have people reporting these sort of crimes to us all the time. So when you’re parking your car, think about what is on display and when you’re out and about enjoying Southbank keep a hold of your phone and handbag wherever you may be. If you have a question around policing in the Southbank Area please feel free to send them to me at [email protected]. I will try to answer as many as I can and will print some in future additions of SLN. Quote for the day: Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes …. Jim Carrey   Snr Sgt Steve Bills Station Commander - Southbank Police Station

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