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?
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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.”
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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