Fair Go for the Bush: Theft concern for rural residents

ROBBIE Porteous says his Gippsland hometown is no longer the safe place it was when he was growing up. His young family was shattered after thieves raided their property, taking tools valued at $10,000.

ROBBIE Porteous says his Gippsland hometown is no longer the safe place it was when he was growing up.

Born and bred in Bunyip, the father of two said the days of leaving the house or car unlocked were long gone.

His young family was shattered in late August when a shed on their rural property was raided and tools valued at $10,000 were stolen.

Mr Porteous, 30, said the tools could be replaced, but his family’s sense of security had vanished.

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Robbie Porteous with his family Georgia, Logan and Ella. Picture: Tony Gough

“It’s traumatising knowing someone has been on the property,” he said.

“Some people might be able to shake it off, but I took it hard. It’s unnerving. I had a meltdown and couldn’t go to work.”

Mr Porteous, who has two children, has since wired his home and shed with an extensive security system. But he said the fear someone may be lurking on his property kept him up at night.

“Sometimes I go out in the middle of the night to check and I’m constantly checking the cameras,” he said.

“Every smoko I’m on my phone checking Gumtree for my tools.”

The shed now has added security. Picture: Tony Gough

The increase in criminal incidents recorded in Bunyip over the past five years more than doubled the average increase across country Victoria.

Criminal incidents soared by 35 per cent in Bunyip in 2017/18, up 93 compared to 69 in 2013/14, according to the latest Crime Statistics Agency data.

Country Victoria recorded a 14 per cent increase over the same time period.

Theft and deception incidents largely accounted for the increase in Bunyip.

Mr Porteous said: “We used to leave the keys to the car in the ignition and house unlocked but not anymore.”

Geelong, Latrobe, Ballarat, Bendigo and Macedon Ranges recorded the most criminal incidents across country Victoria in 2017/18.

CRIMINAL INCIDENTS IN 2017/18

Geelong — 17036

Latrobe — 9401

Ballarat — 9240

Bendigo — 7107

Macedon Ranges — 4843

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