Townsville police execute high visibility patrols to stem record levels of property theft

A change in tack in targeting property thieves is driving down record-breaking levels of crime in Townsville. FULL LIST: What suburbs were targeted overnight — was your street one of them?

Targeted high visibility policing in Townsville suburbs has driven down the levels of property crime.

Townsville Police district duty officer Senior Sergeant Matt Lyons said officers were working hard on patrolling suburbs which had been impacted by crime.

He said “high visibility policing”, or having officers out and visibly patrolling suburbs, had played a part in reducing the levels of property crime.

Overnight there were 13 break-ins or attempts in North Ward, West End, Kirwan, Hyde Park, Belgian Gardens, Idalia, Bushland Beach and Oonoonba.

It was a significant drop from 21 break-ins overnight Tuesday and 36 overnight Monday.

In Kirwan there were five break-ins or attempts reported.

Five vehicles were also targeted by thieves in the past 24 hours, who stole one car, cash, fishing gear, speakers, a laptop and wallet.

“Last night wasn’t as bad as what it’s been for property crime,” Sen-Sgt Lyons said.

“We’re now targeting patrolling to those areas (hit by thieves). We’re looking at saturating the areas they will target next.”

Senior Sergeant Matt Lyons. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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The number of properties and vehicles reported to have been broken into overnight was the lowest to date this month.

From 9am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday there were 21 properties which had been hit by thieves, while there had been 36 from Monday leading to Tuesday and 32 over the 24 hour period from Sunday to Monday.

Queensland Police data from February revealed the city was battling the worst property crime rates in 20 years.

The data revealed 625 reports of unlawful entry were made across the Townsville District, making it the highest number of unlawful entry offences ever reported in available records dating back to 2001.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers told the Townsville Bulletin the issue needed a generational response.

“We need to link juvenile behaviour to parents’ welfare payments to force them to play a role,” he said. “This means all levels of government need to be involved if we are going to put an end to the juvenile crime epidemic.”

Where the break-ins occurred:

Eyre Street, North Ward – Unit

Entry: Accessed patio

Stolen items: Delivered parcel

Hugh Street, West End – House

Entry: Attempted to force door handle open

Stolen items: Entry not gained, nothing stolen

Ellenor Street, Mount Louisa – House

Entry: Garage door left open

Stolen items: Gas barbecue, chainsaw, generator, cordless drill, tent, camping swag, fishing rods and reels

Wheeler Circuit, Kirwan – House

Entry: Cut hole in security door fly screen to flick latch

Stolen items: Entry not gained, nothing stolen

Wheeler Circuit, Kirwan – House

Entry: Forced door handle open

Stolen items: Nothing stolen, thieves disturbed by resident

Wheeler Circuit, Kirwan – House

Entry: Burnt hole in security door fly screen to flick latch – forced door handle open

Stolen items: Wallet and iPhones

Wheeler Circuit, Kirwan – Unit

Entry: Attempted to force door handle open

Stolen items: Entry not gained, nothing stolen

Charters Towers Road, Hyde Park – Business

Entry: Smashed glass door

Stolen items: Food and drink items and cash

Sheehan Street, Belgian Gardens – House

Entry: Forced door open

Stolen items: Nothing taken

Edgewater Terrace, Idalia – House

Entry: Unknown – no signs of forced entry

Stolen items: Credit cards, identification, handbag, car keys and vehicles

Seldon Place, Kirwan – House

Entry: Attempted to force door handle open

Stolen items: Entry not gained, nothing stolen

Jamaica Crescent, Bushland Beach – House

Entry: Forced door handle open

Stolen items: Nothing taken

Keenan Street, Oonoonba- House

Entry: Forced door handle open

Stolen items: Sports shoes

Sea Eagle Circuit, Douglas – Vehicle

Entry: Unlocked door

Stolen items: Cash, fishing rod and speaker

Pugh Street, Aitkenvale – Vehicle

Stolen item: Number plate

Eucalyptus Ave, Annandale – Vehicle

Entry: Key used from previous break in

Stolen items: Credit card and vehicle

Sea Eagle Circuit, Douglas – Vehicle

Entry: Unknown – no signs of forced entry

Stolen items: Laptop, debit cards and wallet

Freshwater Drive, Douglas – Vehicle

Entry: Unknown – no signs of forced entry

Stolen items: Nothing taken

Originally published as Townsville police execute high visibility patrols to stem record levels of property theft