High rise thefts: How to prevent crime in Melbourne’s booming apartment block
More people are embracing high-rise living, but eastern suburbs police warn break-ins are spiking thanks to residents’ lack of security measures. So how can you make your apartment more secure?
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High-rise apartment buildings are a juicier target for thieves compared to the average Australian home, Manningham’s crime prevention officer says.
With vehicles and possessions often kept together in an enclosed carpark and a large number of people moving through the building, it’s easier for crooks to have success.
And theft from the apartment buildings is increasing as more “vertical neighbourhoods” go up across Melbourne, Leading Senior Constable Carla Reardon said.
She has some tips to help those living in apartments stay as secure as possible.
“We don’t want people to be scared and nervous, but just sensible and aware,” she said.
CARPARKS
The main issue around apartment buildings is theft from cars parked in carparks.
Leading Sen-Constable Carla Reardon said because the carparks were often enclosed residents tended to be less concerned about leaving possessions in their cars, particularly wallets and handbags.
But while the carparks often seem secure, she said they were usually easy for pedestrians to get into, while more brazen offenders in cars followed residents into the carpark.
Drivers should ensure cars are locked and empty of possessions — just as if they were parking on the street.
Anyone entering the carpark should also wait to check the door closes behind them.
STORAGE CAGES
The “new trend” around theft from apartment buildings is storage cages being broken into.
A number of power tools and valuable items such as golf clubs have been robbed from the cages in Manningham.
She said the cages appealed to burglars because they were normally in a secluded spot, such as the carpark, and gave thieves usually the chance to go ‘window shopping’.
Residents should fix tarps or shower curtains to the inside of cages so others can’t see what is inside, with thieves likely to target cages they know aren’t empty.
Owners should also have a good quality lock, possibly one fitted with an alarm.
NEIGHBOURS
Knowing who else lives in the building is a great way to identify anyone suspicious, Leading Sen-Constable Reardon said.
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Residents should keep an eye out for people who aren’t normally around, and even say hello to people they don’t recognise to let them know they’ve been noticed.
If anyone sees someone around the building acting suspicious they should phone 000.
“We need people to trust their instincts,” Leading Sen-Constable Reardon said.
“If they don’t think it’s right, absolutely give us a call.”
She said police would also patrol areas where they had been told of suspicious activity.
ACCESS
Residents should use all available security measures — keep security gates closed and check who is at the door on the intercom before letting anyone in.
They should also make sure doors, such as fire escape accesses, are never left open.
Leading Sen-Constable Reardon said the carpark of one secure Manningham building was ransacked after the fire door was left chocked open.
BALCONIES/TERRACES
Leading Sen-Constable Reardon said doors to balconies or terraces should be treated like the front door — not left open or unlocked.