North Shore Area Police Command Ask Residents to Lock Their Houses and Cars

    By
    Jacky Barker
    -

    In July 2022, In the Cove reported that the Lower North Shore has seen a significant increase in stolen cars and home break and enters.

    The North Shore Police Area Command started a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to lock their cars and homes.

    In July 2022, the Crime Prevention Officer at North Shore Police Area Command told ITC:

    “Unfortunately, in nearly all of our recent break-and-enters where luxury vehicles have been stolen, victims have had either their houses or their cars containing keys or garage remotes unlocked. The message we are trying to get out to the North Shore Community is to lock your cars and houses at night and to report any suspicious behaviour/noises.”

    North Shore Police Area Command has today (24 November 2022) asked local media to stress the following to our readers:

    “where possible, strongly encourage your readers/community to lock their houses and vehicles, particularly at night. We have seen an increase in break-and-enter offences over the last two weeks in which offenders are breaking into often unlocked houses at night, looking for keys to high performance vehicles which they then steal.  We are seeing that when a house/property is locked, the offenders more often then not move onto the next house. We can not impress the importance of locking up at night enough.”

    On 19 October 2022, North Shore Police Area Command published the following post on its Facebook page and noted:

    North Shore Police Area Command is also stressing the 9 PM routine where you check that your car and your house are locked.

    Strikeforce Sweetenham 2 Established

    Strikeforce SWEETENHAM 2 is a Region led investigation into the prevalence of aggravated break-and-enter offences to acquire luxury and high-performance motor vehicles.  Already the police have made two arrests arising due to the work of this strikeforce.

    North Shore Police Area Command reported the following incident in early November 2022.  Access to one home was through a closed but unlocked door.

    North Shore Police Area Command reported:

    “About 3 am on 03/11/2022, a Young Person (YP) was in company with three other males when he attended Dalmeny Road, Northbridge and entered through the closed but unlocked front door to the premises. After rifling through a number of drawers in the kitchen area, likely looking for keys to motor vehicles, they left without taking anything. The premises were occupied at the time by the owners.

    Shortly after, the YP, in company with the same group of co-offenders, approached the front door of the nearby premises of Minnamurra Road, Northbridge. They searched a set of drawers and a variety of objects outside the front door for a short time before leaving the without stealing anything.

    At about 4:50 pm on 3 November 2022, a search warrant was executed by Police in collaboration with SF SWEETENHAM 2 at YP’s residence. The YP was present inside and arrested. During the search of the premises, clothing depicted in CCTV footage during the offending was located. The YP was charged with ‘Face disguised w/i commit indictable offence-T1’ in relation to Minnamurra Avenue and ‘Agg B&E dwelling etc in company with intent to steal’ in relation to Dalmeny Rd. The YP was bail refused to appear before Surry Hills Children Court on 04/11/2022.”

    Locked Houses and Cars

    A locked house or car will not stop a determined thief. ITC has been advised of a few incidents where a home has been locked, yet thieves have still managed to access the premises.

    If a thief sees a valuable item in a car, they will smash a window to gain access to the item.

    This theft was in late October 2022

    Steps to Prevent Motor Vehicle Theft

    • Don’t leave your car key in your car;
    • Always tell your neighbours when you’re going away;
    • Install Sensor Lights – ITC has been told about intruders fleeing after a sensor light is activated;
    • Don’t leave your car keys, wallets, iPad, iPhone and handbags by your door or in plain sight – this is an easy “grab and go” for intruders;
    • It is easy for an intruder to steal your car if they find your car keys near the front door or on a hall table in a very organised car key/key bowl;
    • Be on the lookout for someone who is acting suspiciously, e.g. looking in windows/checking parked vehicles. Make a note of the person’s appearance, clothing, and call the police immediately. You can report any crime or suspicious activities anonymously. Call North Shore LAC on 9418 8499 (always call 000 if there is an emergency).
    • Invest in Security Cameras, the cost of security; and
    • Finally, make sure your street number is visible so that if anything does happen the police can easily find your home.

    Report Crime

    It is important for Lane Cove Residents to report all incidents to the police.  Reporting incidents help police monitor patterns and trends.

    To report minor crimes online, visit the Community Portal. For non-urgent police assistance, reporting minor crimes and all general enquiries, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. To report criminal activity, please Crime Stoppers or call 1800 333 000.

    Register Your Business or Residential CCTV

    CCTV footage has become an important investigative tool for police. It is regularly used to investigate and solve crimes. The problem to date has been knowing where these cameras are located. The objective of the NSW Force is to establish an accurate and comprehensive register that identifies the location of as many CCTV systems across that state.

    The CCTV Register is an initiative of the NSW Police Force. The database has been established to record the location of closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems, and other related information, across the state.

    This CCTV Register will assist NSW Police in gathering evidence when a crime is committed in your area. Police will use the Register information to contact you and request footage that may be vital to solving crime.

    You can register or provide updates to your previous registration in two ways:

    Regardless of which option you choose, completing the form should take no more than 5-10 minutes.

    NSW Police note:

    • all data will be stored in a secure database owned and operated by the NSW Police Force. Authorised officers will be able to access the Register for law enforcement purposes only.
    • Your information will NOT be provided to third parties.
    • Your consent to supply this information to us for inclusion in the CCTV Register DOES NOT mean that you consent to supply us imagery captured by, or stored on, your CCTV system/s (eg. video footage or still images).
    • There is no obligation for you to provide information. Registration is purely voluntary.

    If you have questions in relation to the CCTV Register, contact the VIEW Unit on ph. 02 8835 7828 or email [email protected].

    Register your business or residential CCTV details on-line

    Download a CCTV Register Form (PDF)

    Download a CCTV Register Brochure (PDF)