Insurance companies abandon under siege Yeppoon business

Repeated ram raids and burglaries have cost a popular Central Qld sports store in more ways than one. WATCH CCTV

Repeated ram raids and burglaries have cost Intersport Yeppoon owners Anne and Ray Fursman in more ways than one.

Not only have they lost products and been forced to invest in security upgrades, now their insurance premiums have doubled and only one insurer will take them on.

Mr and Mrs Fursman have had no choice but to take their safety into their own hands.

“All the police we deal with are great, but they don’t have enough resources… we have put measures in place now to make it harder for thieves to get into our premises,” she said.

“We’ve got more cameras, secured the glass at the front of our building and put bollards out the front so they can’t ram raid.”

Ray and Anne Fursman standing at the front of their Intersport store in Yeppoon

The pair have spent tens of thousands of dollars installing bollards, CCTV cameras and reinforced windows.

Ms Fursman said the culprits have ransacked their stores in search of valuables.

“They steal apparel, hats, shoes… they’ve stolen money, we don’t keep cash on site any more because of that,” she said.

They have even had break and enters at their own home.

“They’ve come to our house twice, I assume they’re looking for our cars,” Ms Fursman said.

“There’s no ramifications. When they get caught, they’re out the next day committing more crimes.

“Law abiding citizens are being treated like fools.”

Yeppoon Police Station. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

Despite the frustration of repeated burglary, Mrs Fursman expressed empathy towards disaffected youths.

“I’m in two minds about it - I’ve got kids myself. It saddens me that there are 14 year olds that are out there with nobody that loves them… these kids are coming from families where the parents don’t care,” she said.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said seven additional police officers - five general duties and two for the CIB - were being recruited for Yeppoon, and two were being recruited for Emu Park.

Originally published as Insurance companies abandon under siege Yeppoon business