Welcome to the first My Police Sunshine Coast column in sunshinecoastnews.com.au.
Compiled by Acting Sergeant Sandy Atkinson, of the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit, it will run fortnightly and includes news and community information that will inform residents and visitors and help protect them and their property.
This week, car theft is in the spotlight.
It continues to be an ongoing issue on the Sunshine Coast. Since the start of 2021, there have been more than 312 vehicles stolen within the district.
On May 10 alone, three cars were stolen from Pelican Waters in the one night!
What we know is that, in Queensland, one in two cars are stolen by opportunistic offenders simply finding keys in obvious places.
Based on these figures, there are things we as a community can do to make it more difficult for them.
The best form of prevention is to take simple security measures, no matter the time of day or who is home.
Make a conscious effort to keep doors and windows locked to deter any unwanted intruders.
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Consider securing the internal door from your garage and the house with a good quality lock.
Keep keys safe by popping them somewhere out of the way, such as a drawer, rather than on the bench or on a key hook.
Don’t leave your garage remotes in the vehicles, secure them. Do what you can to avoid gifting your keys to thieves.
For the community of Caloundra, it was announced recently the introduction of a new local policing strategy that will boost police presence in the area and provide frontline interaction.
From May 20, a trial will commence where a mobile police beat will be placed on a site next to the Baringa Community Centre each Thursday.  Police will continue to regularly patrol Baringa and the surrounding suburbs outside these hours.
This column is compiled by Acting Sergeant Sandy Atkinson of the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
