Tasmania Police is implementing a statewide Crime Response Plan to address property crime.

Analysis of burglaries across the state shows that half of all cars broken into are unlocked and nearly a quarter of all houses burgled are not properly secured.

“Our analysis shows that many crimes were opportunistic; cars and houses are not locked, and cash, credit cards and electronic devices left where they can be easily seen,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner, Donna Adams.

“Police Districts developed local responses to an increase in home and car burglaries over the past 6 months, and the statewide Crime Response Plan brings together crime prevention strategies, targeting of offenders and crime hotspots and delivers messaging to encourage crime resilient communities.

“It includes high visibility and covert patrols to saturate suburbs where burglaries have increased, targeting repeat offenders, collecting further intelligence on the drivers of crime from offenders, crime prevention advice to households and follow up advice for victims of crime,” said Ms Adams.

“Property crime is not just a policing issue, we need to engage communities to respond to security advice and avoid becoming targets for opportunistic criminals.”

“More than 50% of all vehicles burgled were left unlocked. 22% of houses burgled were unsecured. Don’t make it easy for criminals to steal your property.

“Our message is to avoid being an easy target. Lock up, even if you’re in the backyard. Don’t leave valuables in your car, don’t post your holiday photos on social media until you’re home. It’s simple advice,” said Ms Adams.

Security advice for home and car owners

• Report suspicious activity – seen something unusual in your street? Police can be contacted on 131 444 to report any suspicious activity or concerns.

HOMES:

• Don’t leave handbags, keys, mobile phones or cash in plain sight of your windows or doors.
• Lock your doors and windows.
• Close your curtains at night. Leave curtains slightly open if you’re going away.
• Leave a light on.
• If you are going on holiday, think about getting a house sitter, or ask a friend or neighbour to come by the property, or leave their car in your driveway.
• Don’t let your mail or newspaper deliveries build up. Offenders often scope out properties that have a large volume of mail sitting in the mail box.
• Install and activate a security alarm.
• Install sensor lighting.
• Don’t post on social media that you’re away, or going away.
• Lock up even if you’re home, or in the backyard.
• Put packaging of expensive items into the rubbish, don’t leave the boxes sitting on the kerb.
• Take all keys with you when you go out, leave a spare set of keys with a trusted neighbour or friend.
• Don’t hide keys in the garden.
• Lock up sheds and garages.
• Activate a ‘find my phone’ app on your mobile.

CARS:

• Lock your car.
• Park your vehicle in your driveway or garage and lock it.
• If you can’t park off the street, park under street lighting or in high visibility area.
• Remove GPS and the cradle and store out of sight.
• Don’t leave cash, wallets, phones or bags in the car.
• Store shopping bags in the boot not on the backseat.

BUSINESSES & TRADIES:

• Mark your tools think about something unique to you; one preferred method is to engrave or mark the tools with the letter ‘T’ indicating Tasmania followed by your driver’s licence number. This will allow for the return of recovered property, and potentially deter thieves, as marked items may be harder to dispose or sell on.
• Keep power tools secure in vehicles and work sites.