Sippy Downs resident allegedly filmed in shower amid youth crime concerns

A Sippy Downs woman, whose housemate fell victim to sickening youth crime, says she doesn’t feel safe as police reveal where criminals are from and how they plan to fix it.

Sippy Downs’ resident Sheridan Vroegop, whose housemate was allegedly targetted by a young offender filming her in the shower, says more needs to be done to protect the community. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sippy Downs resident Sheridan Vroegop doesn’t feel safe after her home was hit by young criminals several times in the last 12 months. And she isn’t alone.

Concerns have been raised by frustrated residents, sick of dealing with offenders skulking around their cars and homes, who often raise the alarm on social media with accompanying CCTV footage.

Ms Vroegop, who lives with three housemates, says it’s a regular occurrence.

She moved to Sippy Downs from Buderim approximately a year ago, she said, but despite being neighbouring suburbs, crime in Sippy Downs was notably worse.

Between cars being broken into, illegal fireworks being set off, catching teens climbing fences and even their own property being vandalised, the group of housemates were fed up.

Sippy Downs resident Sheridan Vroegop and her housemates have been hit by youth crime multiple times since moving to Sippy Downs a year ago. Picture: Patrick Woods.

But the worst run-in by far was when her housemate allegedly caught a teenager who had jumped their fence filming her in the shower from the window.

The housemate’s scream sent the alleged offender running, but it was too late to do anything.

She said it was reported to police.

She suggested a greater police presence may help in scaring offenders off, and for parents to step up.

Sippy Downs Officer in Charge Jason Cameron said youth crime but had grown alongside population growth.

The bigger issue, he said, was offenders infiltrating the Sunshine Coast to wreak havoc before returning to their homes elsewhere.

“I wouldn’t say (the gang activity) has increased across the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“What we are seeing is an increase in youth from other areas attending the Sunshine Coast … people coming up here, I suppose, hitting affluent areas, committing crime.”

Division 6 councillor Christian Dickson said youth crime in Sippy Downs has grown alongside population growth, but more public complaints were being made now.

Councillor Christian Dickson, whose electorate includes Sippy Downs, said he noticed stories about stolen vehicles, break and enters, public nuisance offences and hooning were “hot topics” within the community when discussing youth crime.

Like Sergeant Cameron, Mr Dickson agreed the issue had grown alongside the population growth, but there were more public complaints now compared years ago.

He said he felt the solution was more police resources and tougher penalties.

But Sergeant Cameron said the key to tackling the issue was to continue building relationships between police and residents to keep each other in the know with what was happening in their community.