Protect your property, say police

ACT Policing is reminding the Canberra community of the need to protect and record the details of their home equipment and valuables following an increase in residential burglaries in the Belconnen area in recent weeks.

While additional resources and intelligence-gathering have been focussed on the issue in an effort to apprehend the offenders responsible, police say this problem presents a timely reminder to householders that recording the details of your property and engraving them with identifying information assists in investigating burglaries and tracking stolen property.

A recent burglary victim who had kept an identifying list of property stolen from his McKellar home provided this information to police. Subsequent enquiries led police to execute a search warrant on an Evatt residence where the property was recovered and a woman charged.

The Officer In Charge of Belconnen Police Station, Sergeant Erin Pobar, said that community vigilance is another valuable tool in protecting your property and that of your neighbour.

“Information given to Crime Stoppers from members of the community about suspicious persons or behaviour in your area really does make a difference,” Sgt Pobar said.

“Burglars, such as those recently operating in the Belconnen area, like to target small, portable items like laptops, audio equipment, iPods and game consoles because they are easiest to steal.

“Police would urge householders to make a visual record of these items, and perhaps engrave them with some identifying details. This makes them more difficult to on-sell.

“Breaking the crime ‘chain’ is also important. If you know of someone who is offering property suspected to be stolen then contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or provide the details via the website www.act.crimestoppers.com.au. You may provide this information anonymously if you wish,” Sgt Pobar said.