Thieves target trailers across Brisbane North

Trailers are being targeted by opportunistic thieves across Brisbane North, with 19 stolen in just over 10 weeks.

There have been 19 trailers stolen recently across North Brisbane. Picture: iStock

TRAILERS are being targeted by opportunistic thieves across Brisbane North.

There have been 19 trailers reported stolen between June 28 and September 11 within North Brisbane’s Gateway Patrol Group. This equates to nearly two trailer thefts a week.

Of these, nine were stolen from Hendra, five from Stafford, three from Carseldine, and one each from Boondall and Sandgate. Three have been recovered.

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The thefts included one horse float, one jet ski secured to a trailer, and one camper trailer.

Sergeant Jodie Murray from the Gateway Crime Prevention Unit said the majority of offences occurred overnight.

“Trailers are stolen by different means however the majority … have been left unsecured in front yards or on the street,” Sergeant Murray said.

“Two were stolen off the back of vehicles by unhitching them, two trailers had the chains securing them cut, and three were secured with wheel locks.

“Opportunistic thieves take advantage of easily accessible items and trailers left unsecured or easily attached to a vehicle for towing can then be stolen and used to commit further offences including theft of motorcycles.

“Local officers would like to remind the community of the importance of being vigilant and reporting any suspicious behaviour, vehicles and people to police, taking note of identifying features.”

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Police offer the following crime prevention tips to anyone who owns a box trailer, horse float, camper trailer or other form of trailer:

■ If you have off street parking, use it.

■ If possible, park behind locked gates or in a locked garage as parking on the street greatly increases the risk of theft.

■ If you must leave a trailer parked on the road or in a public area use a high quality securing mechanism (wheel locks or coupling locks) preferably to a heavy/thick chain, chained to something permanent/unmovable. Any measure that makes your trailer look hard to move will go a long way to deterring would-be thieves.

■ Remove temptation — ensure valuable items are not left in or on the trailer or float.

■ For maximum protection, an engine immobiliser that meets Australian Standards provides the most effective deterrent to opportunistic vehicle theft. However, it offers no protection if a thief has easy access to your car keys.

Anyone with information on the trailer thefts is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au