Police urge residents to lock up after increase in break ins

Toowoomba police have urged residents to lock up after an increase in break ins in the city last week.

Police have urged residents to lock up after an increase in break ins last week.

Pushing through garage doors and entering through windows, offenders were often looking for easy entry, according to Darling Downs Crime Prevention Unit Officer in Charge Scott McGrath said.

“We had a rise in the number of homes entered last week unfortunately,” Sgt McGrath said.

“The biggest percentage of these were what we call sneak breaks, so offenders moving around the community looking for an opportunity to enter an unlocked house.

“They’ve gone in through unlocked doors and some through unlocked windows and on one occasion they lifted a garage door and entered the house.”

Sgt McGrath said this type of behaviour was concerning.

“The fact we had an increase last week is why we are talking to the community about trying to be vigilant locking up,” he said.

“If you’re at home, just be aware that offenders are moving around and looking for that opportunity.

“They are entering the house undetected and taking property or taking car keys and once they have the keys they are stealing a car from that premises.”

He said the break-ins often happened quickly.

“We are encouraging people to use their locking devices for doors and windows and maybe remove the keys from off the kitchen bench and put them out of sight in the house,” he said.

Residents with information on crimes or stolen goods are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.