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Police advise lock up, be vigilant

Tim EdmundsAlbany Advertiser
Constable Cameron Fyfe and Senior Constable Martin Collins have called on residents to be vigilant over the festive period.
Camera IconConstable Cameron Fyfe and Senior Constable Martin Collins have called on residents to be vigilant over the festive period. Credit: Tim Edmunds

Albany police will increase patrols in burglary hotspots this festive season, but have warned residents to be prepared and to play a vital role in reducing crime.

Residents have been urged to be vigilant over the period, which traditionally attracts a rise in opportunistic burglaries and car thefts.

But Albany police Acting Senior Sergeant Derek Grimes said residents would need to take their own home security more seriously and do the basics such as making sure windows and doors were locked and valuables left out of sight.

“We need people to be vigilant with their neighbours,” he said.

“Don’t make it look like your house is empty. We need people to report any suspicious activity immediately but most of all we need people to lock up and don’t have your valuables in sight.

“It is extremely hard to curb crime when valuables are there for the taking.”

Act. Sen. Sgt Grimes said several recent car thefts had stemmed from purses or wallets being left in the car and visible for opportunistic thieves.

He said the warmer weather over the summer months especially the festive holiday period continued to see a spike in crime, with more foot traffic around the suburbs, and police would counter it with targeted patrols.

“We always get that increase in burglaries and stealing,” Sen Sgt Grimes said.

“We have maximised our numbers roster-wise and we will have dedicated crime and traffic patrols.

“There will certainly be a high uniform presence and plain clothes patrols on recognised hot spots that are areas of concern.”

Police urge any suspicious activity to be reported on 131 444.

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