Police urge vigilance following a rise in break-ins in Brisbane’s north

Police have urged residents in Brisbane’s north to be vigilant with their home and car security following a surge in the reported number of break-ins over the week, including one case where a woman claims a man repeatedly entered her home, used her shower and took her food.

Police have urged residents in Brisbane’s north to be vigilant with their home and car security following a surge in the reported number of break-ins over the week.

Boondall Police Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Damien Houston said the suburbs of Chermside and Wavell Heights were targeted on Saturday, with a number of vehicles, tools and number plates stolen.

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Over the past week there have been 69 reports of unlawful entry across Brisbane’s north, with clusters occurring in Dakabin, Taigum and Stafford according to the Queensland Police Service Crime Map.

A report by the Pine Rivers Police detailed some of the week’s offences, stating criminals damaged windows to gain access to a property on Hughes Road East in Dakabin, stole cash from a home on Hemlock St in Warner and jimmied a car door to retrieve money left inside on Beckett Rd in McDowall.

There has been an increase in break and enters, and attempted break and enters, in Brisbane’s north.

Reports such as these are cause for concern for resident Collette Wright, who recently moved to Carseldine after her Bald Hills home was repeatedly broken into over the last 12 months.

Ms Wright and her neighbours told police that a man in a white ute would frequently attend her home while she was away at work, using her shower, taking her food and leaving cigarette butts in her yard.

“It really weighs on me, I still have nightmares about it,” Ms Wright said.

“It didn’t just affect me, it also affected my kids, because they wanted me out of that situation.

“The experience left a scar, I can’t hear a noise now without wondering what it is, I don’t like to come home in the dark, I don’t even open the curtains any more.”

Sgt Houston said local residents can curb this type of crime by ensuring they have taken all steps to secure their property, particularly vehicles, and register with the QPS Community Camera Alliance if they have installed CCTV on their property.

“Knowing (that) will maximise the efficiency of investigative resources and minimise the loss of potential evidence,” Sgt Houston said.