Mackay police post reminders for drivers to lock their cars after 22 vehicles found unlocked
A police blitz uncovered what could have been a payday many times over for opportunistic criminals with valuables on display for all to see.
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A police blitz at Mackay shopping centres uncovered 22 unlocked vehicles including one with the keys in the ignition ready to drive away.
The checks of 976 vehicles across Mount Pleasant Centre and Caneland Central took officers a few hours but one unsecure car could be a day’s pay for a criminal spotting a valuable possession on the back seat.
Caneland Police Beat Acting Senior Constable Kate Ward said public complacency was why officers were placing “Don’t gift your keys to thieves” postcards on windscreens across the state.
Constable Ward said common security failings included unlocked tradie’s toolboxes, wound down windows making it easy to jimmy open doors and the formerly trusted keys on top of the tyre.
“Let’s be honest, these opportunists know where to look and if it arises, they're going to how to take full advantage,” Constable Ward said.
While it is an offence to leave your vehicle unlocked, Constable Ward said the operations at Mackay’s shopping centres were more of a reminder to lockup, extending to securing your belongings at home.
She said drivers who left their cars unlocked represented a wide age demographic with the majority not concerned after police notified them of the situation.
“Unfortunately people don’t take notice until they’re a victim of crime themselves,” Constable Ward said.
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Drop in property offences since Mackay youth crackdown
In Queensland, one in two cars are stolen using the car’s keys.
Mackay Police District Sergeant Nigel Dalton recommended keeping your vehicle safe by storing the keys out of sight such as in a drawer rather than on a bench or key hook.
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Originally published as Mackay police post reminders for drivers to lock their cars after 22 vehicles found unlocked
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